Aetiology of bacterial meningitis in infants aged <90 days: Prospective surveillance in Luanda, Angola.

BACKGROUND: Despite effective antibiotics and vaccines, bacterial meningitis (BM) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young infants worldwide. Data from Africa on the aetiology and antibiotic susceptibility are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To describe the aetiology of BM in Angolan infants <90 days of age. METHODS: A prospective, observational, single-site study was conducted from February 2016 to October 2017 in the Paediatric Hospital of Luanda. All cerebrospinal fluid samples (CSF) from infants aged <90 days with suspected BM or neonatal sepsis were assessed. The local laboratory performed microscopy, chemistry, culture, and susceptibility testing. PCR for vaccine-preventable pathogens was performed in Johannesburg, South Africa. RESULTS: Of the 1287 infants, 299 (23%) had confirmed or probable BM. Of the 212 (16%) identified bacterial isolates from CSF, the most common were Klebsiella spp (30 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (29 cases), Streptococcus agalactiae (20 cases), Escherichia coli (17 cases), and Staphylococcus aureus (11 cases). A fifth of pneumococci (3/14; 21%) showed decreased susceptibility to penicillin, whereas methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was encountered in 4/11 cases (36%). Of the gram-negative isolates, 6/45 (13%) were resistant to gentamicin and 20/58 (34%) were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. Twenty-four percent (33/135) of the BM cases were fatal, but this is likely an underestimation. CONCLUSIONS: BM was common among infants <90 days of age in Luanda. Gram-negative bacteria were predominant and were often resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Continued surveillance of the antibiogram is pivotal to detect potential changes without delay.

Etiology of Childhood Otorrhea in Luanda, Angola, and a Review of Otitis Media in African Children.

BACKGROUND: In resource-poor settings, otorrhea causes a significant burden of disease in children. Etiologic studies and structured data on otorrhea and chronic otitis media among African children remain scarce. METHODS: Here, we reviewed 678 bacteriologically analyzed otorrhea samples from Luanda Children's Hospital from children ≤15 years of age between 2008 and 2015. We then compared these with data from other studies among African children through a literature review of 20 articles published over 2 decades. RESULTS: Overall, 32 different bacteria were identified among 542 isolates from 654 children in Luanda. Gram-negative bacteria constituted the majority of all isolates (85%), whereby Pseudomonas spp. was the most common (n = 158; 29%), followed by Proteus spp. (n = 134; 25%). Among Staphylococcus aureus (n = 54; 10%), 69% of tested isolates were Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and among Enterobacteriaceae, 14% were expanded-spectrum ß-lactamase isolates. Resistance to quinolones was rare. Furthermore, in a review of the literature, we found a high occurrence of otorrhea and chronic suppurative otitis media in children as well as possible gaps in existing knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: In Angola, Gram-negative rods emerged as common causative agents of otorrhea in children followed by S. aureus. The magnitude of chronic otorrhea in Africa represents a cause for public health concern.

Influência da aspiração endotraqueal por sistema aberto e fechado nos sinais vitais de recém-nascidos submetidos à ventilação mecânica invasiva / The effect of open and closed endotracheal suctioning system on vital signs of newborns on invasive mechanical ventilation

OBJETIVO: Comparar o sistema de aspiração aberto e o fechado em relação às variações nos sinais vitais no neonato e verificar o recurso mais adequado para esta população, de acordo com seus efeitos e as características do paciente. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico crossover randomizado com sete pacientes com idade gestacional média de 20 dias. Realizaram-se os dois métodos de aspiração endotraqueal no mesmo recém-nascido, com intervalo de 24 horas, sendo a ordem da aplicação escolhida de forma aleatória. O procedimento foi avaliado em três períodos: 5 minutos antes da aspiração (P1), durante a aspiração - depois de duas aspirações (P2) e após 5 minutos do procedimento (P3). RESULTADOS: Na frequência respiratória, houve significância entre os tipos de aspiração endotraqueal, tendo o sistema de aspiração aberto apresentado maior variação; na análise isolada dos sistemas, o sistema de aspiração aberto apresentou significância com aumento nos momentos de P1 para P2, e com diminuição de P2 para P3. Na saturação do oxigênio, houve significância na análise isolada dos sistemas, com diminuição de P1 para P2, e com aumento de P2 para P3 no sistema de aspiração aberto. Ambas as alterações encontravam-se dentro dos padrões fisiológicos aceitáveis. CONCLUSÃO: Sob circunstâncias rigidamente controladas em pacientes hemodinamicamente e clinicamente estáveis, tanto o sistema de aspiração aberto como o fechado podem ser utilizados, desde que a casuística seja semelhante ao estudo apresentado.(AU)

OBJECTIVE: To compare the open and closed suctioning systems regarding changes in vital signs in the neonate, and thus to check the most appropriate resource for this population, according to its effects, and the patient's characteristics. METHODS: This is a crossover randomized clinical trial with seven patients with mean gestational age of 20 days. The two endotracheal suction methods were performed in the same newborn with an interval of 24 hours, with the order of application being chosen randomly. The procedure was performed in three periods: five minutes before the suction (P1), during endotracheal suctioning - after two suctions (P2), after five minutes of the procedure (P3). RESULTS: Regarding the respiratory rate, there was significant difference between the types of endotracheal suctioning, with the open suctioning system presenting greater variation; in an isolated analysis of the systems, the open suctioning system was statistically significant with an increase in times of P1 to P2, and decrease of P2 to P3. Regarding oxygen saturation, there was significance in isolated analysis of the systems, with a reduction of P1 to P2, and increase of P2 to P3 in the open suctioning system. Both changes were within acceptable physiological patterns. CONCLUSION: Under strictly controlled conditions, with hemodynamically and clinically stable patients, both the open and closed suctioning systems may be used, provided that the sample is similar to the study presented.(AU)

Terapia de Contensão Induzida na função do membro superior parético / Constraint-induced movement therapy in the paretic upper limb function

A reabilitação do membro superior do paciente com sequelas de acidente vascular encefálico é um dos desafios de maior complexidade para o fisioterapeuta. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o uso da Terapia de Contenção Induzida (técnica recente) isoladamente na melhora funcional do membro superior parético em pacientes pós-acidente vascular encefálico a partir de uma revisão sistemática sem metanálise das bases de dados PubMed,LILACS e SciELO, seguindo os critérios de inclusão: ano de publicação entre 2010 e 2015, estudos clínicos controlados e randomizados que avaliaram a funcionalidade do membro superior hemiparético, e estudos que utilizaram somente a Terapia de Contensão Induzida como técnica de tratamento no mesmo grupo estudado. Foram critérios de exclusão relativos à Terapia de Contensão Induzida: associada a outras técnicas de reabilitação no mesmo grupo estudado, modificada, realizada para fins que não para o membro superior parético, e realizada em crianças e adolescentes ou em pacientes com paralisia cerebral. Foram encontrados 352 artigos. Seis artigos se enquadraram nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Dos seis artigos, três apresentaram a comparação da Terapia de Contensão Induzida com outras técnicas, como Bobath, estimulação magnética transcraniana repetitiva de baixa frequência, terapia ocupacional e terapia intensiva bilateral. Dois artigos verificaram a Terapia de Contensão Induzida precoce e tardiamente; somente um avaliou o fluxo sanguíneo do hemisfério afetado durante tarefas motoras com e sem restrição. Conclui-se que a Terapia de Contensão Induzida utilizada precocemente oferece resultados satisfatórios quando comparados com técnicas mais tradicionais.

Upper limb rehabilitation in patients with stroke sequelae is one of the most complex challenges to the physiotherapist. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of constraint-Induced movement therapy (recent technique) alone in functional improvement of the paretic upper limb in post-stroke patients through a systematic review with no metanalysis of databases of PubMed, LILACS and SciELO. The inclusion criteria were: year of publication between 2010 and 2015; controlled and randomized clinical studies that evaluated the functionality of hemiparetic upper limb, and controlled and randomized clinical studies evaluating only the Constraint-induced Movement Therapy as a treatment technique in the same study group.Exclusion criteria related to the Constraint-induced Movement Therapy were: associated with other rehabilitation techniques in the same study group, modified, carried out for purposes other than for the paretic upper limb, and performed in children and teenagers or in patients with cerebral palsy. We found 352 articles. Six articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the six articles, three had a comparison of Constraint-induced movement therapy with other techniques, such as Bobath,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,occupational therapy, and bilateral intensive therapy. Two articles observed early and late Constraint-induced Movement Therapy; only one evaluated the blood flow of the affected hemisphere during motor tasks with and without constraint. It was concluded that the Constraint-induced Movement Therapy use provides satisfactory results when compared with more traditional techniques

Vaccine-induced waning of Haemophilus influenzae empyema and meningitis, Angola.

In Angola during 2003-2012, we detected Haemophilus influenzae in 18% of 2,634 and 26% of 2,996 bacteriologically positive pleural or cerebrospinal fluid samples, respectively, from children. After vaccination launch in 2006, H. influenzae empyema declined by 83% and meningitis by 86%. Severe H. influenzae pneumonia and meningitis are preventable by vaccination.

Picornaviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of children with meningitis in Luanda, Angola.

Human enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis. Viral-bacterial interaction may affect the clinical course and outcome of bacterial meningitis. In Africa, viruses might be responsible for 14-25% of all meningitis cases. However, only few studies from Africa have reported detection of viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or mixed viral-bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of picornaviruses in the CSF of children suffering from meningitis in Luanda, Angola. The study included 142 consecutive children enrolled in a prospective study of bacterial meningitis in Luanda between 2005 and 2006, from whom a CSF sample was available. CSF samples were obtained at hospital admission, stored in a deep-freeze, and transported to Finland for testing by real-time PCR for picornaviruses. Enteroviruses were detected in 4 (3%) of 142 children with presumed bacterial meningitis. A 5-month-old girl with rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis recovered uneventfully. An 8-year-old girl with human enterovirus and pneumococcal meningitis developed no sequelae. A 2-month-old girl with human enterovirus and malaria recovered quickly. A 7-month-old girl with human enterovirus was treated for presumed tuberculous meningitis and survived with severe sequelae. Mixed infections of the CNS with picornaviruses and bacteria are rare. Detection of an enterovirus does not affect the clinical picture and outcome of bacterial meningitis.

Acute childhood bacterial meningitis in Luanda, Angola.

Incidence, morbidity and mortality of bacterial meningitis in developing countries are manifold greater than those in the industrialized world. We reviewed retrospectively children with meningitis treated in the paediatric hospital of Luanda in 2004. Among the 555 children, median age 11.0 months, the leading agents were Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcus, and meningococcus in 60%, 24%, and 10%, respectively. The median length of illness before admission was 7 d. 65% had convulsed. Altered level of consciousness was observed in 61% and blood haemoglobin lower than 8 g/dl in 36% of cases. Case fatality was 35% and, of survivors, 24% were left with severe neurological sequelae. Blood transfusion appeared beneficial since fatality of children with and without transfusion was 23% versus 39% (p=0.003). While awaiting large-scale vaccinations, tools to improve the prognosis of meningitis in Angola comprise generating better awareness to reduce the delay, better fluid treatment and monitoring and active use of blood transfusions.