Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume as practical markers in febrile seizure classification / Proporção entre linfócitos e neutrófilos, amplitude de distribuição de hemácias e volume médio de plaquetas como marcadores práticos na classificação de convulsões febris

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume in patients with febrile seizure and to determine their role in febrile seizure classification. Methods: This was a retrospective hospital-based study conducted among patients aged 5 to 72 months admitted with febrile seizure. Children who had febrile seizures due to upper respiratory tract infection were included in the study. The children were divided into two groups: simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures. Patients with a history of febrile status epilepticus, previous convulsions, use of antiepileptic or other chronic drugs, foci of infection other than the upper respiratory tract infection, abnormal biochemical parameters, and chronic mental or physical disease were excluded from the study. Clinical and laboratory findings of the patients were obtained from digital medical records. Results: The records of 112 febrile seizure patients were reviewed, and 89 were grouped as simple and 23 as complex febrile seizures. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean red cell distribution width values (p=0.703), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume were significantly higher in patients with complex febrile seizures (p=0.034, p=0.037; respectively). Conclusions: This study showed that neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume could be practical and inexpensive clinical markers for febrile seizure classification. A similar result could not be reached for red cell distribution width in this study. These findings should be supported by multicenter studies with large samples.

RESUMO Objetivo: Examinar a relação linfócitos-neutrófilos, amplitude de distribuição de hemácias e volume médio de plaquetas em pacientes com convulsão febril, e determinar seu papel na classificação de convulsão febril. Métodos: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo de base hospitalar realizado com pacientes de 5 a 72 meses admitidos com convulsão febril. Crianças que tiveram convulsões febris em razão de infecção do trato respiratório superior foram incluídas no estudo. As crianças foram divididas em dois grupos: convulsões febris simples e complexas. Pacientes com história de Status epiléptico febril, convulsões prévias, uso de drogas antiepilépticas ou outras drogas crônicas, com focos de infecção que não a do trato respiratório superior, parâmetros bioquímicos anormais e doenças crônicas mentais ou físicas foram excluídos do estudo. Os achados clínicos e laboratoriais dos pacientes foram obtidos a partir dos prontuários médicos digitais. Resultados: Registros de 112 pacientes com convulsão febril foram revisados: 89 com convulsões febris simples e 23 com complexas. Embora não tenha havido diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos em termos de valor médio de amplitude de distribuição de hemácias (p=0,703), a relação linfócitos-neutrófilos e o volume médio de plaquetas foram significativamente mais elevados em pacientes com convulsões febris simples (p=0,034, p=0,037; respectivamente). Conclusões: Este estudo mostrou que a relação linfócitos-neutrófilos e o volume médio de plaquetas podem ser marcadores clínicos práticos e de baixo custo para a classificação de convulsão febril. Um resultado semelhante não pôde ser alcançado para a amplitude de distribuição de hemácias neste estudo. Esses achados devem ser apoiados por estudos multicêntricos com grandes amostras.

Variantes en la presentación clínica de la enfermedad por arañazo de gato en niños del hospital Garrahan / Variants in the clinical presentation of cat scratch disease in children at Garrahan Hospital

La infección por Bartonella henselae (BH) adopta diversas formas de presentación clínica en pediatría. Según la bibliografía la forma de presentación más frecuente en pacientes inmunocompetentes es la linfadenopatía única asociada a fiebre. En el 85 % de los casos se compromete un solo ganglio siendo los axilares y los epitrocleares los más frecuentemente involucrados. Existen otras formas de presentación menos frecuentes que debemos tener en consideración, para poder realizar un diagnóstico precoz e indicar un tratamiento adecuado si así lo requiere. El diagnóstico requiere de la sospecha clínica del equipo de salud tratante, junto al antecedente epidemiológico, los hallazgos clínicos del examen físico y la realización de serologías que incluyan el dosaje de inmunoglobulina M y G. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron reconocer las manifestaciones clínicas típicas y atípicas de la EAG por Bartonella henselae, describir la epidemiología, características clínicas y evolución de esta enfermedad que se presentaron en nuestro hospital. Se estudiaron un total de 187 pacientes. La media de edad fue de 7.6 años (rango 1-14); siendo 53.5% de género masculino. Las formas de presentación más frecuentes en nuestro trabajo fueron la adenitis y la fiebre. La mayoría recibió diversos esquemas de tratamiento antibiótico, secundario al retraso en el diagnóstico. La tasa de hospitalización fue muy baja, remitió con tratamiento ambulatorio con antibióticos o sin ellos (AU)

Bartonella henselae infection has different clinical presentations in pediatrics. According to the literature, the most common form of presentation in immunocompetent patients is single lymphadenopathy associated with fever. In 85 % of the cases a single lymph node is involved, with the axillary and epitrochlear nodes being the most commonly involved. There are other, less frequent, forms of presentation that should be taken into consideration in order to make an early diagnosis and indicate appropriate treatment if required. Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion by the treating healthcare team, together with the epidemiological history, clinical findings on physical examination, and serology including immunoglobulin M and G dosage. The objectives of this study were to identify both the typical and atypical clinical manifestations of Bartonella henselae cat scratch disease, to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of cases presenting at our hospital. A total of 187 patients were studied. The mean age was 7.6 years (range 1-14); 53.5% were male. The most frequent forms of presentation in our study were adenitis and fever. Most of them received different antibiotic treatment regimens due to delayed diagnosis. The hospitalization rate was very low and the disease typically resolved with outpatient treatment, with or without antibiotics (AU)

Diagnosis of urinary tract infection in infants under 3 months with fever without a source: reliability of urinalysis and urine culture / Diagnóstico de infección del tracto urinario en lactantes menores de 3 meses con fiebre sin foco identificado: fiabilidad del análisis de orina y urocultivo

Abstract Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is infants´ most common serious bacterial infection. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of urianalysis (UA) to predict UTI, to specify the colony forming units (CFU)/ml threshold for diagnosis, and to identify variables that help suspect bacteremia in infants under 3 months with UTI. Methods: We reviewed clinical records of children under 3 months hospitalized for a fever without source and recorded age, sex, days of fever pre-consultation, temperature and severity at admission, discharge diagnoses, laboratory tests, and treatments. According to the discharge diagnosis, we divided them into UTIs (-) and (+) with or without bacteremia. Results: A total of 467 infants were admitted: 334 with UTI and 133 without UTI. In UTIs (+), the pyuria had a sensitivity of 95.8% and bacteria (+) 88.3%; specificity was high, especially for nitrites (96.2%) and bacteria (+) (92.5%). Positive predictive value (PPV) for nitrites was 95.9%, for bacteria 96.7%, and oyuria 92.5%. Escherichia coli was present in 83.8% of urine and 87% of blood cultures. UTIs with bacteremia had inflammatory urinalysis, urine culture > 100,000 CFU/ml, and higher percentage of C reactive protein (CRP) > 50 mg (p= 0.002); 94.6% of the urine culture had > 50,000 CFU. Conclusions: The pyuria and bacteria (+) in urine obtained by catheterization predict UTI. The cut-off point for diagnosis was ≥ 50,000 CFU/ml. No variables to suspect bacteremia were identified in this study.

Resumen Introducción: La infección del tracto urinario (ITU) es una infección bacteriana grave frecuente en lactantes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la fiabilidad del análisis de orina (AO) para predecirla, precisar el umbral de unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC)/ml para el diagnóstico y buscar variables que ayuden a sospechar de bacteriemia en lactantes menores de 3 meses con ITU. Métodos: Se revisaron fichas clínicas de lactantes menores de 3 meses hospitalizados por fiebre sin foco evidente, registrando edad, sexo, días de fiebre preconsulta, temperatura y gravedad al ingreso, diagnósticos de egreso, exámenes de laboratorio y tratamientos. Según diagnóstico de egreso, se separaron en ITU (-) y (+), con o sin bacteriemia. Resultados: Ingresaron 467 lactantes: 334 con ITU y 133 sin ITU. En ITU (+), la sensibilidad de la piuria fue de 95.8% y bacterias (+) 88.3%; la especificidad fue alta para nitritos (96.2%) y bacterias (+) (92.5%). El valor predictivo positivo (VPP) fue de 95.9% para nitritos, 96.7% para bacterias y 92.5% para piuria. Escherichia coli se encontró en el 83.8% de los urocultivos (UC) (+) y en el 87% de los hemocultivos (+). Las ITU con bacteriemia presentaron elementos inflamatorios, UC con ≥ 100,000 UFC/ml y mayor porcentaje de proteína C reactiva (PCR) > 50 mg/l (p= 0.002); el 94.6% de los UC (+) tuvo ≥ 50,000 UFC/ml. Conclusiones: La piuria y bacterias (+) en el AO son excelentes para pronosticar ITU en orina obtenida con sonda vesical y el punto de corte para el diagnóstico debe ser ≥ 50,000 UFC/ml. No encontramos señales que ayudaran a sospechar ITU con bacteriemia.

Aspectos electroclínicos de la epilepsia temporal mesial / Neuropsychological risk in temporal lobe epilepsy

Introducción: La epilepsia del lóbulo temporal mesial se considera la más frecuente de las epilepsias focales, con signos y síntomas característicos que ayudan a definir su diagnóstico. Contenidos: Dentro de su historia natural, las crisis pueden iniciar en los primeros años de vida, usualmente como episodios febriles con un periodo de remisión, para reaparecer en la adolescencia o en el adulto joven. La presentación electroencefalográfica tiene un patrón característico, con aparición de puntas y ondas agudas interictales en la región temporal anterior, por lo general unilaterales, y con actividad ictal generalmente theta en la misma localización. La causa más frecuente es la esclerosis del hipocampo. El tratamiento con medicamentos anticrisis puede controlar la epilepsia, aunque algunos casos pueden evolucionar a la farmacorresistencia, en la cual la cirugía de epilepsia está indicada, y tiene buenos resultados. Conclusiones: Esta revisión se centra en la descripción de las características electroclínicas de la epilepsia temporal mesial, para hacer un diagnóstico temprano e iniciar un tratamiento adecuado, a efectos de lograr un mejor pronóstico y una mejor calidad de vida para los pacientes con epilepsia y sus familiares.

Introduction: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is considered the most common of the focal epilepsies, with characteristic signs and symptoms that help define its diagnosis. Contents: In the natural history of the disease, seizures can begin in the first years of life, usually as febrile seizures with a period of remission, to reappear in adolescence or in the young adult. The electroencephalographic presentation has a characteristic pattern with the appearance of interictal sharp waves and spikes in the anterior temporal region, usually unilateral, and with generally theta ictal activity in the same location. The most common cause is hippocampal sclerosis. Treatment with antiseizure medication can control epilepsy. However, in some cases evolution of drug resistance can occur, leading to epilepsy surgery as the most appropriate treatment, based on its good results. Conclusions: This review focuses on the description of the electroclinical characteristics of temporal mesial epilepsy, in order to make an early diagnosis and adequate treatment, thus providing a better prognosis and quality of life for patients with epilepsy and their families.

Infecciones fúngicas invasoras en niños con cáncer y portadores de aplasia medular severa en nueve hospitales de la red PINDA, Chile. 2016-2020

Introducción: La infección fúngica invasora (IFI) es una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad en pacientes oncológicos pediátricos y portadores de aplasia medular (AM) severa. Objetivo: Describir la epidemiología de la IFI desde el año 2016 al 2020 en niños con cáncer y AM para evaluar la necesidad de profilaxis antifúngica. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico, en pacientes pediátricos con cáncer y AM severa. Se incluyeron IFI probables y probadas. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 57 casos de IFI, mediana de edad 9 años, 70% probadas y 30% probables. Hubo 42% de infecciones por levaduras y 56% por hongos filamentosos. Los sitios de infección más frecuentes fueron pulmón 38%, sangre 36% y rinosinusal 21%. La frecuencia global fue 5,4%; de ellas 21% en AM severa, 10% en leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA), 6,9% en recaída de LMA, 5,4% en recaída de leucemia linfática aguda (LLA), 3,8% en LLA. Las infecciones por hongos filamentosos predominaron en LMA, recaída de LMA. y AM severa. La mortalidad en pacientes con IFI fue de 11%. Conclusión: La frecuencia de IFI concuerda con la literatura médica. Recomendamos profilaxis antifúngica contra hongos filamentosos en pacientes con AM severa, LMA y recaída de LMA. Considerar en recaída de LLA de alto riesgo en etapa de inducción.

Background: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric oncology patients and severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Aim: To describe the epidemiology of IFI from 2016 to 2020 in children with cancer and SAA to assess the indication of antifungal prophylaxis. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective study of IFIs in pediatric oncology patients and SAA. Probable and proven IFIs were included. Results: Over the 5-year period, 57 IFIs were found, median age 9 years, 70% were proven and 30% were probable. Yeast infections were 42% and mold infections 56%. The most frequent infection sites were lung 38%, blood 36% and rhinosinusal 21%. The total IFI frequency was 5.4%, 21% in SAA, 10% in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 6.9% in relapsed AML, 5.4% in relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 3.8% in ALL. Mold infections were predominant in AML, relapsed AML, and SAA. IFIs mortality was 11%. Conclusion: Frequency of IFI was consistent with the literature. We strongly recommend antifungal prophylaxis against mold infections in patients with SAA, AML, and relapsed AML. Would consider in high risk ALL relapse in induction chemotherapy.

A Study On Haematological Parameters In Febrile Seizures

Febrile seizures are the most common neurologic disorder in the pediatric age group, affecting 2–5% of children between 6 months and 5 years of age in the United States and Western Europe with a peak incidence between 12 and 18 months. Although febrile seizure is seen in all ethnic groups, it is more frequently seen in the Asian population (5–10% of Indian children and 6–9% of Japanese children). Systemic inflammatory response has been implicated as a contributor to the onset of febrile seizure [1]. It is studied that IL-B, IL-6, TNF-ALPHA can play an important role in generation of febrile seizure. Although they are the useful biomarkers, its availability in day to day practice is very limited. So there is a need for low cost and widely used inflammatory response markers like NLR, MPV, PLT, and RDW as independent predictors of febrile seizure and to compare different Hematological parameters in febrile seizure in patients with an unclear seizure history. The 5 novel indices of inflammatory response: i. Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ii. Mean Platelet Volume iii. Platelet Count Ratio iv. Red cell Distribution Width v. Serum Ferritin The study is carried out for the assessment of other hematological parameters in febrile seizures like HB, RBC, PCV, RDW, Platelets, MPV and PCR. Also to compare the variation of hematological parameters in simple and complex febrile seizures based on the laboratory parameters which are otherwise classified clinically.

Consenso de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología para el manejo de episodios de neutropenia febril en adultos y niños con cáncer

El Comité de Infecciones en Inmunocomprometidos de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología presenta aquí una actualización en el Manejo de episodios de neutropenia febril en adultos y niños con cáncer, derivado de los grandes cambios ocurridos en los últimos años en el enfrentamiento de estos pacientes. Para estos efectos, un grupo multidisciplinario desarrolló recomendaciones en relación a: su enfrentamiento inicial, exámenes de laboratorio requeridos, el tratamiento antimicrobiano inicial empírico y frente a focos infecciosos conocidos, las infecciones fúngicas invasoras y profilaxis antimicrobiana.

The Committee of Infections in Immunocompromised Patients of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases presents an update in the Management of febrile neutropenia in adults and children with cancer. It comes from the significant changes that occurred in recent years in the confrontation of these patients. For which a multidisciplinary task force group developed recommendations in relation to their initial handling, laboratory exams required, the initial empirical antimicrobial treatment and in front of known infectious focus, invasive fungal infections and antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Scrub Typhus Presenting as Subdural Hemorrhage with Normal Platelet Counts: A Rare Case Presentation

Scrub typhus is a common zoonotic disease with high case fatality rate. The clinical presentation of this disease may vary from acute febrile illness, thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal manifestations, coagulopathy to neurological manifestations. The common neurological manifestations are meningitis and meningoencephalitis, whereas subdural hemorrhage, cerebrovascular accident, i.e., intracerebral hemorrhage, infarct, subarachnoid hemorrhage, etc. are among rare neurological presentations. Scrub typhus-induced neurological disease should be investigated to provide a timely and appropriate diagnosis and to reduce the mortality in complicated scrub typhus infection. Here we report a case of scrub typhus complicated with subdural hemorrhage admitted in our hospital.

LEPTOSPIROSIS: A NEGLECTED DISEASE FROM NORTH INDIA

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira interrogans and has been reported from various countries worldwide. As very few studies were conducted on leptospirosis from north India, this study was conducted to know the status of this disease in this region. This retrospective hospital Material & Methods: based study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care super specialty teaching institute from north India for a period of two consecutive years. Blood specimens from acute febrile illness cases were tested for presence of IgM antibodies against Leptospira interrogans by rapid card (Leptocheck from TULIP) testing and ELISA (Leptospira IgM ELISA from PanBio). Out of total 216 samples Results: collected and included in this study, 40 were found to be positive for presence of IgM antibodies against Leptospira interrogans. Seropositivity for leptospirosis was observed to be 19%. Maximum number of patients were from economically productive age groups, 31-40 years of age group followed by 21-30 and 41-50 years of age groups. CONCLUSION: Leptospirosis was found to be a major cause of acute febrile illness from north India. It is neglected and under reported from most of the regions of India due to lack of clinician's suspicion. More studies with more samples are required on leptospirosis from this region to reach on final conclusion.

Uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI para prevenção de neutropenia: revisão de escopo / Uso del dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI para prevenir la neutropenia: revisión de alcance / Pegfilgrastim OBI device use for neutropenia prevention: a scoping review

Resumo Objetivo Mapear os cuidados em saúde do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector na prevenção de neutropenia em adultos com câncer em assistência domiciliar após quimioterapia ambulatorial. Métodos Revisão de escopo baseada na metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute . Foram incluídos somente estudos com adultos com câncer submetidos à quimioterapia ambulatorial. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS , PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO e Web of Science, além da literatura cinzenta ProQuest, Scielo, Banco de Dados em Enfermagem, Google Scholar, Open Grey, bula do medicamento e websites . Foram esgotadas as buscas nas referências dos estudos elegidos. Todos os estudos identificados foram exportados para o gerenciador de referências EndNote para organização e remoção das duplicadas. Utilizou-se o aplicativo web Rayyan para seleção das evidências. Os estudos foram selecionados por pares e de forma independente, sendo os conflitos solucionados por um terceiro pesquisador. Resultados Foram incluídos 10 artigos cujos resultados foram subdivididos nas categorias: adesão do paciente, opinião da equipe de saúde, carga de trabalho do paciente em tratamento do câncer e uso do dispositivo na prática clínica. O dispositivo apresenta poucas falhas e foi aceito pelas equipes de saúde e pacientes na maioria dos estudos. Conclusão Os principais cuidados em saúde para o uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector estão relacionados à técnica de preparo da pele onde o dispositivo será aplicado, o preparo e a administração do dispositivo. Além disso, salienta-se a importância da avaliação do conhecimento do paciente e seu familiar sobre o dispositivo, o fornecimento de todas as orientações necessárias, verbalmente e por escrito, de forma clara e objetiva, e a validação dessas informações, certificando-se que o paciente compreendeu todas elas e está seguro.

Resumen Objetivo Mapear los cuidados de la salud al utilizar el dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector para prevenir la neutropenia en adultos con cáncer en atención domiciliaria después de quimioterapia ambulatoria. Métodos Revisión de alcance basada en la metodología del Joanna Briggs Institute . Se incluyeron solamente estudios con adultos con cáncer sometidos a quimioterapia ambulatoria. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS , PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO y Web of Science, además de la literatura gris ProQuest, Scielo, Banco de Datos de Enfermería, Google Scholar, Open Grey, prospecto del medicamento y sitios web. Se concluyeron las búsquedas en las referencias de los estudios seleccionados. Todos los estudios identificados se exportaron al programa de gestión de referencias EndNote para organizarlas y remover las duplicadas. Se utilizó la aplicación web Rayyan para seleccionar las evidencias. Se seleccionaron los estudios por pares y de forma independiente, y los conflictos se solucionaron mediante un tercer investigador. Resultados Se incluyeron diez artículos cuyos resultados fueron subdivididos en las siguientes categorías: adhesión del paciente, opinión del equipo de salud, carga de trabajo del paciente en tratamiento de cáncer y uso del dispositivo en la práctica clínica. El dispositivo presenta pocas fallas y fue aceptado por los equipos de salud y por los pacientes en la mayoría de los estudios. Conclusión Los principales cuidados de la salud para el uso del dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector se relacionan con la técnica de preparación de la piel donde se aplicará el dispositivo, la preparación y la administración del dispositivo. Además, se destaca la importancia de la evaluación de conocimientos del paciente y su familiar sobre el dispositivo, la entrega de todas las instrucciones necesarias, verbalmente y por escrito, de forma clara y objetiva, la validación de la información y la verificación de que el paciente haya comprendido todo y esté seguro.

Abstract Objective To map the health care of Pegfilgrastim On-body Injector in neutropenia prevention in adults with cancer in home care after outpatient chemotherapy. Methods This is a scoping review based on the JBI methodology. Only studies with adults with cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy were included. The search was carried out in the Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO and Web of Science databases, in addition to gray literature ProQuest, SciELO, Database in Nursing, Google Scholar, Open Grey, drug leaflet and websites. The searches in the references of selected studies were exhausted. All identified studies were exported to the EndNote reference manager for organization and removal of duplicates. The Rayyan web application was used for evidence selection. The studies were selected by pairs independently, with conflicts resolved by a third researcher. Results A total of 10 articles were included, whose results were subdivided into categories: patient compliance, health team opinion, patient workload in cancer treatment and device use in clinical practice. The device has few flaws and was accepted by health care teams and patients in most studies. Conclusion The main health care for Pegfilgrastim On-body Injector use is related to the skin preparation technique where the device will be applied, in addition to device preparation and administration. Moreover, the importance of assessing the knowledge of patients and their family about the device is highlighted, providing all the necessary guidelines, verbally and in writing, clearly and objectively, and validating this information, making sure that patients have understood all of them and are safe.

Bloodstream infection in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia induced by chemotherapy

Abstract Introduction Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a serious complication of cancer chemotherapy. The present study aimed to identify risk factors for documented infection in pediatric patients with FN and cancer. Methods This prospective cohort study included patients under 18 years from 2016 to 2018. Infection was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Results A total of 172 febrile neutropenic episodes were evaluated. From univariate analysis, the risk factors were: female gender; monocyte count < 100 cell/mm³, platelets < 50,000, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 90 mg/dl and hemoglobin < 7mg/dl at the onset of an episode; two or more episodes of FN, and; fever onset; positive blood culture at the fever onset. Independent risk factors according to the multivariate analysis were: CRP at the onset of a febrile episode > 90mg/dl, fever onset and first blood culture with a positive result. The lowest probability of infection was related to first episode and to platelets > 50,000 at the onset of fever. Conclusion A CRP > 90 at the onset of a febrile episode, platelets < 50,000, second episode or more, first fever episode during hospitalization and positive first blood culture were found to be associated with a higher risk of infection and they could be useful for the establishment of risk scores for infection in neutropenic children.

A multimodal strategy to improve health care for pediatric patients with cancer and fever in Peru / Una estrategia multimodal para mejorar la atención médica de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer y fiebre en Perú / Uma estratégia multimodal para melhorar a prestação de serviços de saúde para pacientes pediátricos com câncer e febre no Peru

ABSTRACT Objective. The DoTT (Decreasing Time to Therapy) project aimed to minimize the interval between fever onset and medical interventions for children with febrile neutropenia. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of implementing the DoTT project on the hospital time to antibiotic (TTA) and patient time to arrival (PTA) at the hospital in children with febrile neutropenia admitted to the emergency department. Methods. The DoTT project was implemented at a Peruvian hospital and followed the World Health Organization (WHO) multimodal improvement strategy model. Components included creating a healthcare delivery bundle and antibiotic selection pathways, training users of the bundle and pathways, monitoring patient outcomes and obtaining user feedback, encouraging use of the new system, and promoting the integration of DoTT into the institutional culture. Emergency room providers were trained in the care delivery for children with cancer and fever and taught to use the bundle and pathways. DoTT was promoted via pamphlets and posters, with a view to institutionalizing the concept and disseminating it to other hospital services. Results. Admission data for 129 eligible patients in our registry were analyzed. The TTA and PTA were compared before and after the DoTT intervention. The median TTA was 146 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 97-265 minutes) before the intervention in 99 patients, and 69 minutes (IQR 50-120 minutes) afterwards in 30 patients (p < 0.01). The median PTA was reduced from 1 483 minutes at baseline to 660 minutes after the intervention (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Applying the WHO multimodal improvement strategy model to the care of children with febrile neutropenia arriving at the hospital had a positive impact on the PTA and TTA, thus potentially increasing the survival of these patients.

RESUMEN Objetivo. El proyecto DoTT (Disminuyendo el tiempo a la terapia, sigla en inglés) busca minimizar el intervalo entre el inicio de la fiebre y las intervenciones médicas en la población infantil con neutropenia febril. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de la implementación del proyecto DoTT sobre el tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de la fiebre hasta la llegada del paciente (TLP) al hospital y el tiempo transcurrido en el hospital hasta la administración del antibiótico (TAA) en niños con neutropenia febril ingresados en el servicio de urgencias. Métodos. El proyecto DoTT se puso en marcha en un hospital peruano, según el modelo de estrategia multimodal de mejora de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Entre sus componentes se encontraban crear un conjunto de servicios de atención de salud y de algoritmos para la selección de antibióticos; capacitar a los usuarios en la utilización del conjunto de servicios y de los algoritmos; realizar un seguimiento de los resultados de los pacientes y recabar la opinión de los usuarios; fomentar el uso del nuevo sistema; y promover la integración del proyecto en la cultura institucional. Se capacitó al personal de la sala de urgencias en la atención de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer y fiebre, y en el uso del conjunto de servicios y de los algoritmos. Se informó sobre el proyecto DoTT mediante folletos y carteles, con vistas a institucionalizar el concepto y difundirlo a otros servicios hospitalarios. Resultados. Se analizaron los datos de ingreso de 129 pacientes de nuestro registro que cumplían con los requisitos. Se compararon el TAA y el TLP al hospital antes y después de la intervención con las pautas del proyecto DoTT. La mediana del TAA fue de 146 minutos (intervalo intercuartílico [II]: 97-265 minutos) en 99 pacientes antes de la intervención y de 69 minutos (II: 50-120 minutos) en 30 pacientes después de ella (p <0,01). La mediana del TLP disminuyó de 1 483 minutos en el momento de la evaluación inicial a 660 minutos después de la intervención (p <0,01). Conclusiones. La aplicación del modelo de estrategia multimodal de mejora de la OMS a la atención de la población infantil con neutropenia febril que acude al hospital tuvo un efecto positivo sobre el TLP y el TAA, lo que podría aumentar la supervivencia de estos pacientes.

RESUMO Objetivo. O projeto DoTT (Redução do Tempo para o Tratamento, na sigla em inglês) tem como objetivo reduzir ao máximo o intervalo entre o início da febre e as intervenções médicas em crianças com neutropenia febril. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da implementação do projeto DoTT no tempo desde o início da febre até a chegada do paciente (TCP) ao hospital e no tempo no hospital até a administração de antibióticos (TAA) em crianças com neutropenia febril admitidas no departamento de emergência. Métodos. O projeto DoTT foi implementado em um hospital do Peru e seguiu o modelo de estratégia de melhoria multimodal da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Os componentes incluíram a criação de um pacote de prestação de serviços de saúde e de protocolos de seleção de antibióticos, o treinamento de usuários no pacote e nos protocolos de seleção, o monitoramento da evolução dos pacientes e obtenção de feedback dos usuários, o incentivo ao uso do novo sistema e a promoção da integração do DoTT à cultura institucional. Os profissionais do pronto-socorro foram capacitados na prestação de cuidados a crianças com câncer e febre e no uso do pacote e dos protocolos de seleção. O DoTT foi divulgado por meio de panfletos e pôsteres, com o objetivo de institucionalizar o conceito e disseminá-lo para outros serviços hospitalares. Resultados. Foram analisados os dados de internação de 129 pacientes elegíveis em nosso registro. O TAA e o TCP foram comparados antes e depois da intervenção DoTT. O TAA mediano era de 146 minutos (intervalo interquartil: 97-265 minutos) antes da intervenção em 99 pacientes e de 69 minutos (intervalo interquartil: 50-120 minutos) depois da intervenção em 30 pacientes (p < 0,01). O TCP mediano diminuiu de 1483 minutos na linha de base para 660 minutos após a intervenção (p < 0,01). Conclusão. A aplicação do modelo de estratégia multimodal de melhoria da OMS ao atendimento de crianças com neutropenia febril que chegam ao hospital teve um impacto positivo no TCP e no TAA, potencialmente aumentando a sobrevida desses pacientes.

Prevalence of bloodstream infection pathogens in hemato-oncological patients and predictors of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections during febrile neutropenia

ABSTRACT Background: Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative (CRGN) Bloodstream Infections (BSI) represent a therapeutic challenge, especially in the context of Febrile Neutropenia (FN) in cancer patients. Methods: We characterized pathogens causing BSI in patients aged ≥18 years who had undergone systemic chemotherapy for solid or hematological cancers between 2012 and 2021 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Predictors of CRGN were evaluated through a case-control analysis. Each case was matched to two controls from whom CRGN were not isolated and had the same sex and year of inclusion in the study. Results: From 6094 blood cultures evaluated, 1512 (24.8%) showed positive results. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 537 (35.5%) of the isolated bacteria, of which 93 (17.3%) were carbapenem-resistant. From 105 patients included in the case-control analysis, all cases had baseline hematological malignancies (60% acute myeloid leukemia). Variables related to CRGN BSI in Cox regression analysis were the first chemotherapy session (p<0.01), chemotherapy performed in the hospital setting (p = 0.03), intensive care unit admission (p<0.01), and CRGN isolation in the previous year (p<0.01). Patients with CRGN BSI received 75% less empirical active antibiotics and had 27.2% higher 30-day mortality rates than controls. Conclusions: A CRGN risk-guided approach should be considered for empirical antibiotic therapy in patients with FN.

Safety of levofloxacin as an antibiotic prophylaxis in the induction phase of children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an interim analysis of a randomized, open-label trial in Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: Despite high cure rates, treatment-related mortality in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains significant. About 4% of patients die during remission induction therapy and approximately two-thirds of treatment-related deaths are due to infectious complications. Methods: From May 2021 to June 2022, children aged one through 18 years, with a recent diagnosis of ALL, admitted to three pediatric oncology centers in Brazil, were enrolled in this multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase 3 clinical trial. Eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups, based on a 1:1 allocation ratio, to receive, or not, levofloxacin as a prophylactic agent during the induction phase. All patients were treated according to the IC-BFM 2009 chemotherapy protocol. Primary endpoints were carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) colonization, Clostridioides difficile diarrhea, and other adverse events related to the use of levofloxacin. The secondary endpoint was febrile neutropenia during induction. The median follow-up was 289 days. Results: Twenty patients were included in this trial, 10 in each group (control and levofloxacin). Mild adverse reactions related to levofloxacin were observed in three patients (30%). Three patients had Clostridioides difficile diarrhea, two in the levofloxacin group and one in the control group (p > 0.99). Only one patient presented colonization by CPE. This patient belonged to the levofloxacin group (p > 0.99). Nine patients presented febrile neutropenia, five in the control group and four in the levofloxacin intervention group (p > 0.99), one patient died due to febrile neutropenia. Conclusion: The use of levofloxacin was shown to be safe in the induction phase in children with de novo ALL. The use of this medication did not increase the rate of colonization by CPE nor the rate of diarrhea by C. difficile. All adverse reactions were mild and remitted either spontaneously or after switching medicine administration from oral to intravenous route.

Febrile neutropenia incidence and the variable toxicity profile between brand and generic docetaxel in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide regimen

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the incidence of febrile neutropenia without primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis in patients undergoing chemotherapy with adjuvant docetaxel and cyclophosphamide, and to evaluate the toxicity profile of brand-name docetaxel (Taxotere ® ) and the generic formulation. Methods This retrospective study was conducted using data obtained from electronic medical records of patients treated at a Brazilian cancer center. Patients with breast cancer who underwent adjuvant treatment between January 2016 and June 2019 were selected. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher correlation of variables, and multivariate analyses were adjusted for propensity score. Results A total of 231 patients with a mean age of 55.9 years at the time of treatment were included in the study. The majority (93.9%) had luminal histology, 84.8% were at clinical stage I, and 98.2% had a good performance status. The overall incidence of febrile neutropenia in the study population was 13.4% (31 cases). The use of brand-name docetaxel (Taxotere ® ) was the only factor associated with febrile neutropenia occurrence (OR= 3.55, 95%CI= 1.58-7.94, p=0.002). Conclusion In patients with breast cancer who require treatment with adjuvant docetaxel and cyclophosphamide regimen, the toxicity profile differs between brand-name and generic docetaxel. Regardless of the formulation used, the incidence of febrile neutropenia was less than 20%, which may allow for the omission of primary prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use in this setting.

Correlation between serum zinc and brain injury in infants with mild gastroenteritis complicated with benign infantile convulsion and febrile convulsion / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the association between serum zinc levels and convulsive brain injury in infants with mild gastroenteritis complicated with benign infantile seizures (BICE) and febrile seizures (FC).Methods:A case-control study method was conducted. 120 children with mild gastroenteritis and convulsion admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2020 to January 2022 were enrolled as the research subjects. They were divided into BICE group and FC group according to the type of convulsion. The serum zinc level, the frequency and duration of convulsion, and the occurrence of convulsive brain injury in the two groups were recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors for convulsive brain injury. The Spearman correlation method was used to analyze the association between serum zinc levels, clinical characteristics of convulsion and convulsive brain injury.Results:A total of 120 children were enrolled, of which 81 developed to BICE and 39 developed to FC during hospitalization. The serum zinc level of children in the FC group was significantly lower than that in the BICE group (μmol/L: 39.24±6.50 vs. 48.65±7.21, P < 0.01). In the BICE group and FC group, the serum zinc level in children with more than 2 convulsions was significantly lower than that in the children with one convulsion (μmol/L: 37.65±6.50 vs. 53.17±7.55 in the BICE group, and 30.27±5.58 vs. 44.16±7.57 in the FC group, both P < 0.01). Serum zinc level in children with convulsion duration ≥5 minutes was significantly lower than that in the children with convulsion duration < 5 minutes (μmol/L: 38.75±6.74 vs. 51.21±7.58 in the BICE group, and 31.08±5.46 vs. 45.19±7.25 in the FC group, both P < 0.01). Moreover, the serum zinc level of children with different convulsion frequency and duration in the FC group was significantly lower than that in the BICE group (all P < 0.01). Among the 120 children, 9 cases of convulsive brain injury occurred, and the incidence rate was 7.50%. The incidence of convulsive brain injury in the BICE group was 1.23% (1/81), which was significantly lower than 20.51% in the FC group (8/39, P < 0.01). The serum zinc level of children with convulsive brain injury was significantly lower than that of children with non-brain injury (μmol/L: 28.50±5.00 vs. 60.22±7.31, P < 0.01), and the number of convulsion was significantly higher than that of non-cerebral injury (≥ 2 convulsions: 100.00% vs. 1.80%, P < 0.01), and the duration of convulsion in children with brain injury was significantly longer than that of non-brain-injured children (convulsion duration ≥5 minutes: 100.00% vs. 11.71%, P < 0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased serum zinc level [odds ratio ( OR) = 2.147, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.354-3.403], increased number of convulsion ( OR = 3.452, 95% CI was 1.266-9.417), and prolonged convulsion duration ( OR = 3.117, 95% CI was 1.326-7.327) were independent risk factor for convulsive brain injury in children with mild gastroenteritis and convulsion (all P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum zinc level, convulsion ≥2 times, duration of convulsion ≥5 minutes and convulsion ≥2 times + convulsion duration ≥5 minutes were significantly negatively correlated with the occurrence of convulsive brain injury in FC children ( r values were -0.546, -0.517, -0.522, and -0.528, all P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between serum zinc level, convulsion ≥2 times, convulsion duration ≥5 minutes and convulsion ≥2 times+convulsion duration ≥5 minutes and convulsive brain injury in BICE children ( r values were -0.281, -0.129, -0.201, -0.243, all P > 0.05). Conclusions:Serum zinc level is related to the characteristics of convulsive symptoms in children with mild gastroenteritis complicated with FC, and has a strong negative correlation with the occurrence of convulsive brain injury. Active targeted intervention and treatment may help reduce the incidence of brain injury in children.

Analysis of clinical features of convulsion in rotavirus enteritis and the risk factors for multiple convulsion / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of convulsion in rotavirus enteritis and the risk factors of multiple convulsion.Methods:The clinical data of children with rotavirus enteritis complicated with convulsion admitted to Xi'an Children's Hospital from January 2018 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether there was fever during convulsion, they were divided into febrile seizure (FS) group and afebrile seizure (AFS) group.Results:A total of 274 children with rotavirus enteritis accompanied by convulsion were enrolled. The male to female ratio was 2.26∶1 in the FS group, while the male to female ratio was 1∶1.1 in the AFS group. The median number of vomiting in the AFS group was higher than that in the FS group: 4(2, 6) times per day vs. 2(1, 5) times per day, P<0.01. One convulsion was dominant in the FS group (80.68%), and more than two convulsions in the AFS group (62.90%). In the FS group, 60.23% of convulsions occurred on the first day of the course of disease, while in the AFS group,79.57% of convulsions mainly occurred on the second and third day of the course of disease. There was no statistical difference in duration of convulsion and overall course of disease between the two groups ( P>0.05). The median of hypersensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in FS group were higher than those in AFS group: 5.52(1.45, 15.50) mg/L vs. 0.98(0.50, 3.17) mg/L, 0.17(0.07, 0.46) μg/L vs. 0.06(0.05, 0.15) μg/L. The median of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), uric acid (UA) and creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) in the AFS group were higher than those in the FS group: 28.00(21.00, 34.25) U/L vs. 25.00(19.00, 31.00) U/L, 53.00(45.00, 62.00) U/L vs. 50.00(40.00, 58.00) U/L, 390.00(296.00, 474.25) μmol/L vs. 331.00(250.00, 399.75) μmol/L, 67.00(49.75, 94.25) U/L vs. 59.50(37.25, 78.75) U/L, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The median age and the median of UA levels in ≥3 convulsions group were higher than those in ≤2 convulsions group: 21(18, 26) months vs. 18(15, 21) months, 411.00(296.50, 496.50) μmol/L vs. 364.00(278.00, 440.50) μmol/L, while the median of serum Na +, the mean value of serum Cl - in the ≥3 convulsions group were lower than those in the ≤2 convulsions group: 135.50(133.75, 137.25) mmol/L vs. 136.60(134.50, 138.20) mmol/L, (103.76 ± 3.26) mmol/L vs. (105.08 ± 4.26) mmol/L, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The age ≥18 months in children with rotavirus enteritis and convulsion ( OR = 3.359, P = 0.002, 95% CI 1.544 - 7.307) and the serum Cl - < 104.8 mmol/L ( OR = 2.17, P = 0.019, 95% CI 1.138 - 4.138) had an increased risk of convulsions ≥3 times during the course of rotavirus enteritis. Conclusions:Rotavirus enteritis FS mostly occurred on the first day of the course of disease, most of them had convulsion once, hs-CRP and PCT were relatively high. In AFS, convulsions were more than 2 times, and occurred on the 2nd and 3rd day of the course of disease. ALT, AST and UA were relatively high. Children with age ≥18 months and serum Cl - < 104.8 mmol/L had an increased risk of convulsions ≥3 times during the course of the disease.

Risk factors analysis of recurrence of febrile seizures within 24 hours / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of recurrence of febrile seizures within 24 hours, so as to provide clinical evidence for early identification of children with risk factors and taking interventions.Methods:A total of 384 children with febrile seizures admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Hebei General Hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected as the study subjects, and were divided into single seizure group and recurrent seizures group.The clinical data of two groups and the risk factors of recurrent seizures were analyzed retrospectively.Results:A total of 384 children, aging from six months to five years, were diagnosed with febrile seizures.There were 296 cases in the single seizure group and 88 cases in the recurrent seizures group.First seizure, the age of the first sezures, temperature, duration of seizure ≥15 minutes, positive family history and C-reactive protein levels showed statistically significant differences between two groups(all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that non-first seizure( OR=2.085, 95% CI 1.232-3.529, P=0.006), the age of first seizure( OR=0.970, 95% CI 0.948-0.993, P=0.010), duration of seizure ≥15 minutes( OR=3.587, 95% CI 1.497-8.596, P=0.004) and positive family history( OR=1.892, 95% CI 1.126-3.180, P=0.016) were risk factors of recurrence of febrile seizures within 24 hours.The ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of four risk factors had a higher predictive value, and the area under curve was 0.974. Conclusion:Non-first seizure, the age of first seizure, cluration of seizure ≥15 minutes and positive family history are the risk factors of recurrence of febrile seizures within 24 hours.Children with four risk factors are more likely to have recurrent seizure, and could be used as an indicator for individualized prediction.

Historical Tracing and Textual Research on Ancient Classic Formula Zhenwutang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ZHANG Zhongjing's Zhenwutang is a classic formula for warming Yang and excreting water. It is composed of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata， Poria， Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma， Paeoniae Radix Alba， and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. Physicians of later generations have inherited and developed this formula by detailed recording and application. This paper adopted bibliometrics method to analyze Zhenwutang in terms of history， indications， dosage， drug processing， usage， and modification. The results showed that Zhenwutang was most widely used in Ming and Qing dynasties. Many physicians have inherited ZHANG Zhongjing's theory regarding the application of Zhenwutang in disease treatment， and a few physicians have used it to treat diphtheria and water-related diseases. Some physicians modified this formula to treat maculae， intermittent dysentery， jaundice and so on. Zhenwutang was mainly used to treat diseases of the circulatory system， respiratory system and urinary system in modern clinical practice. The processing of herbal medicines in this formula was clear. Specifically， the raw material of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata needed to be processed and peeled， while those of Poria， Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma， Paeoniae Radix Alba， and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens can be used directly. Although being different， most of the dosages were consistent with those in Treatise on Febrile Diseases. According to the textual research， it is suggested that the reference dosage of this prescription in clinical practice is 41.25 g for Poria， Paeoniae Radix Alba， and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， respectively， 27.5 g for Atractylodes macrocephala， and 15 g for Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. The medicinal materials should be decocted in 1 600 mL water to reach a volume of 600 mL. After removal of the residues， the decoction should be taken warm with 140 mL each time， three times a day. The textual research of Zhenwutang is expected to provide a theoretical reference for the clinical application and formulation of Zhenwutang.

Three Cases of Febrile Diseases Successfully Treated with a Kampo Formulation Shimbuto / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We herein report three patients who complained atypical febrile diseases associated with painful whole body (Case 1), general fatigue (Case 2), and a sense of general discomfort (Case 3). All cases were not accompanied by dizziness and a shaky feeling which are commonly associated in shimbuto-sho i.e. indication of shimbuto, but presented severe tenderness at the left paraumbilical region which was suggested as indicative point of shimbuto by Yoshiko Takagi. We made a diagnosis in these three cases as shimbuto-sho based on the Takagi's tender point. Through these clinical experiences we propose that a new type of shimbuto-sho, which are completely different from the fixed idea of inherited knowledge. This new type of shimbuto-sho consists of following signs ; fever with chill, floating and feeble pulse, no sweating, general fatigue or body pain, and severe pain at Takagi's tender point.