Cerebrospinal Fluid Cathelicidin Correlates With the Bacterial Load and Outcomes in Childhood Bacterial Meningitis.

BACKGROUND: Large cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bacterial load in bacterial meningitis (BM) relates to poor outcome. However, the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin seems important to host defense. We studied how cathelicidin concentrations and bacterial load in CSF relate in childhood BM and to what extent they may predict the disease outcome. METHODS: The patient data originated from a large prospective clinical trial in Latin America in 1996-2003 in which the CSF samples were collected on admission (CSF1) and 12-24 hours later (CSF2). The cathelicidin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the CSF bacterial load by real-time polymerase chain reaction. This analysis comprised 76 children with meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (n = 44), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 28) or Neisseria meningitidis (n = 4). RESULTS: The cathelicidin concentration correlated with the bacterial genome count in both samples (CSF1: ρ = 0.531, P < 0.001; CSF2: ρ = 0.553, P < 0.001). A high CSF1 ratio of cathelicidin to the bacterial genome count was associated with fewer audiologic sequelae (odds ratio: 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.02-0.61, P = 0.01) and more favorable neurologic outcomes (odds ratio: 3.95, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-12.8, P = 0.02), but not with better survival. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, CSF cathelicidin and the bacterial load were closely related in childhood BM. A high initial cathelicidin-to-bacterial genome count ratio predicted better outcomes in survivors.

Varicella epidemiology in Latin America and the Caribbean.

INTRODUCTION: The Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE), with the support of the Americas Health Foundation (AHF), has developed a position paper on varicella prevention in Latin America and Caribbean countries (LAC). This article summarizes the most relevant aspects of varicella in LAC, and emphasizes the need to include the varicella vaccine in the national immunization programs in the Region and evaluate its impact disease burden. AREAS COVERED: A systematic review was conducted of the medical evidence published and presented at various regional medical conferences on the disease burden in LAC, the advances made by prevention programs, the available vaccines in the Region, and their immunogenicity, efficacy, effectiveness, and safety. The different national varicella-prevention vaccination programs were reviewed, as was available information regarding the impact of these programs on the epidemiology of varicella in those countries implementing a varicella vaccine strategy. Following that initial publication, an update was conducted, including data from additional countries in the Region. EXPERT COMMENTARY: Varicella is a vaccine-preventable infectious disease, considered a 'benign disease' because of lower complication rates when compared with measles, pertussis. The incorporation of a two-dose varicella vaccine in national immunization schedules in all countries throughout LAC would be of great benefit to the health of the children.

Melanosis pustulosa neonatal transitoria: A propósito de un caso / Transient neonatal pustular melanosis: Presenting a case

La melanosis pustulosa neonatal transitoria (MPNT) es un proceso benigno caracterizado por la presencia de máculas, vesículas y pústulas visibles desde el momento del nacimiento y con resolución en las primeras semanas o meses de vida. Esta patología tiene una prevalencia global menor a 1% y no requiere tratamiento, pero es fundamental su reconocimiento y así realizar un buen diagnóstico diferencial para poder tranquilizar a los padres y evitar actitudes terapéuticas innecesarias que pueden ser iatrogénicas. Se presenta el caso de un recién nacido de 48 horas de edad, con lesiones pustulosas generalizadas, que se resolvieron al sexto día de edad, dejando máculas hiperpigmentadas.

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis (TNPM) is a benign condition characterized by the development of maculae, vesicles and pustules that are present at birth. It resolves within the early weeks and months of life. This pathology has a global minor prevalence of 1 % and requires no treatment. However, it is important that a correct differential diagnosis is performed in order to reassure the parents and avoid unnecessary therapeutic approaches that may be iatrogenic. This study presents the case of a newborn child of 48 hours of age, with widespread pustular injuries that resolved by the sixth day of age, with hyperpigmented maculas as sequelae.

Origin and importance of the Latin American Kawasaki Disease Network (REKAMLATINA).

Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children. Although the epidemiology of the disease has been well described in Japan, other Asian countries, Europe, Australia and North America, the epidemiology and disease burden in Latin American children is unknown. For this reason, the idea of establishing a research network on Kawasaki disease in children from Latin America was born, becoming this the largest Kawasaki disease international multinational research network and in which 20 countries of the region will be integrated.

[Origin and importance of the Latin American Kawasaki Disease Network (REKAMLATINA)]. / Orígenes e importancia de la Red de Enfermedad de Kawasaki en América Latina (REKAMLATINA).

Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children. Although the epidemiology of the disease has been well described in Japan, other Asian countries, Europe, Australia and North America, the epidemiology and disease burden in Latin American children is unknown. For this reason, the idea of establishing a research network on Kawasaki disease in children from Latin America was born, becoming this the largest Kawasaki disease international multinational research network and in which 20 countries of the region will be integrated.

Orígenes e importancia de la Red de Enfermedad de Kawasaki en América Latina (REKAMLATINA) / Origin and importance of the Latin American Kawasaki Disease Network (REKAMLATINA)

Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children. Although the epidemiology of the disease has been well described in Japan, other Asian countries, Europe, Australia and North America, the epidemiology and disease burden in Latin American children is unknown. For this reason, the idea of establishing a research network on Kawasaki disease in children from Latin America was born, becoming this the largest Kawasaki disease international multinational research network and in which 20 countries of the region will be integrated.

La enfermedad de Kawasaki representa la causa más común de cardiopatía adquirida en niños. Si bien es cierto que la epidemiología de la enfermedad ha sido muy bien descrita en Japón y otros países de Asia, Europa, Australia y Norte América, se desconoce la epidemiología y carga de enfermedad en niños de América Latina. Por esta razón nació la idea de establecer una red de investigación de enfermedad de Kawasaki en niños de América Latina, constituyéndose ésta en la red internacional multinacional más grande de investigación de la epidemiología de la enfermedad y donde se integran 20 países de la región.

Guía de vacunaciones en adultos, niños y adolescentes: consenso de expertos / Guide vaccinations in adults, children and adolescents: expert consensus

Este consenso ha sido actualizado por profesionales interesados y con experiencia en la vacunación, pertenecientes a la Sociedad Venezolana de Infectología y Sociedad Venezolana de Puericultura y Pediatría y Sociedad Venezolana de Salud Pública. El esquema de vacunas del adulto aplica a personas desde los 18 años de edad, mientras que el esquema de niños y adolescentes a personas hasta los 18 años de edad. Se considera esquema completo, cuando se han administrado todas las dosis y/o sus respectivos refuerzos, de acuerdo con su edad correspondiente y riesgos. Se presentan los esquemas en forma de calandelarios de manera que los profesionales del sector salud y afines, como la población en general puedan utilizarlos de manera práctica como esquema de bolsillo para su consulta rápida

Hearing impairment in childhood bacterial meningitis is little relieved by dexamethasone or glycerol.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have evaluated dexamethasone for prevention of hearing loss in childhood bacterial meningitis, but results have varied. We compared dexamethasone and/or glycerol recipients with placebo recipients, and measured hearing at 3 threshold levels. METHODS: Children aged 2 months to 16 years with meningitis were treated with ceftriaxone but were double-blindly randomly assigned to receive adjuvant dexamethasone intravenously, glycerol orally, both agents, or neither agent. We used the Glasgow coma scale to grade the presenting status. The end points were the better ear's ability to detect sounds of >40 dB, >or=60 dB, and >or=80 dB, with these thresholds indicating any, moderate-to-severe, or severe impairment, respectively. All tests were interpreted by an external audiologist. Influence of covariates in the treatment groups was examined by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 383 children, mostly with meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b or Streptococcus pneumoniae, 101 received dexamethasone, 95 received dexamethasone and glycerol, 92 received glycerol, and 95 received placebo. Only the presenting condition and young age predicted impairment independently through all threshold levels. Each lowering point in the Glasgow scale increased the risk by 15% to 21% (odds ratio: 1.20, 1.21, and 1.15 [95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.35, 1.07-1.37, and 1.01-1.31]; P = .005, .003, and .039) for any, moderate-to-severe, or severe impairment, respectively. Each increasing month of age decreased the risk by 2% to 6% (P = .0001, .0007, and .041, respectively). Neither dexamethasone nor glycerol prevented hearing loss at these levels regardless of the causative agent or timing of antimicrobial agent. CONCLUSIONS: With bacterial meningitis, the child's presenting status and young age are the most important predictors of hearing impairment. Little relief is obtained from current adjuvant medications.

Influence of admission findings on death and neurological outcome from childhood bacterial meningitis.

A post hoc analysis of 654 children with bacterial meningitis showed that the level of consciousness is the most important predictor of death and/or neurological sequelae, more than is etiology per se. This finding emphasizes the need of including a measurement of the presenting status in all studies examining treatment efficacy.