Immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccination in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis on biological therapy using the microneutralization assay.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza virus vaccination should be considered in all pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. Few studies have addressed influenza vaccination safety and efficacy in this group. We aim to prospectively evaluate immunogenicity and safety of the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine including A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B strains in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) receiving biological therapy. METHODS: Thirty-five children diagnosed with JIA and 6 healthy siblings were included. Serum samples were collected prior to, 4-8 weeks and one year after vaccination. Microneutralization assays were used to determine neutralizing antibody titers. The type and duration of therapy were analyzed to determine its effect on vaccine response. Clinical data of the participants were collected throughout the study including severe adverse events (SAE) and adverse events following immunization (AEFI). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (74.3%) received biological treatment for JIA; anti TNF-α was prescribed in 15, anti IL-1 receptor in 4 and anti IL-6 receptor therapy in 6 children. The seroprotection rate 4-8 weeks after vaccination in the JIA group was 96% for influenza A/(H1N1)pdm and influenza A/H3N2, and 88% for influenza B. No differences were found in GMT, seroprotection and seroconversion rates for the three influenza strains between the control group and patients receiving biological therapy. Furthermore, long-term seroprotection at 12 months after vaccination was similar in patients receiving either biological or non-biological treatments. No SAEs were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, influenza vaccination was safe and immunogenic in children with JIA receiving biological therapy.

Enfermedades emergentes: eosinofilia en el niño migrante / Emerging diseases: eosinophilia in migrant children

La eosinofilia es uno de los hallazgos analíticos más frecuentes en los protocolos de cribado del niño migrante; de ahí la necesidad de implantar algoritmos diagnósticos. Aunque ha quedado demostrada la importante asociación entre eosinofilia y parasitación por helmintos en pacientes procedentes de áreas endémicas, el diagnóstico diferencial es más amplio y requiere un estudio estructurado y unificado. El objetivo de esta revisión es ilustrar con casos clínicos concretos una realidad cada vez más patente en nuestro medio como es la patología emergente y, a su vez, proponer un protocolo de cribado específico de eosinofilia en la edad pediátrica, sobre todo en estos pacientes con antecedentes epidemiológicos de movilidad geográfica. Este tipo de actuaciones permitirán la detección precoz y el tratamiento específico de las enfermedades asintomáticas u oligosintomáticas, que en muchas ocasiones no son percibidas por estas familias como un problema de salud (AU)

Eosinophilia is one of the most frequent analytical findings in paediatrics screenings focused on migrant children. On this basis, it is necessary to propose a specific diagnosis protocol for those patients. Although it has been proved there is a significant association between eosinophilia and parasitic infection by helminths in patients from endemic areas, the differential diagnosis is wider and requires a unified and structured approach. The objective of this report is to use specific case reports to illustrate the emerging diseases as a growing phenomenon, as well as to propose a specific pediatrics screening protocol for eosinophilia, especially for patients with a geographical mobility background. These diagnoses will lead to an early detection and specific treatment of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic children, because those conditions are not often perceived as a health problem by these families (AU)

¿Son realmente útiles los anti-TNFα en vasculitis sistémicas? Experiencia en panarteritis nodosa / Are anti-TNF-α agents really useful in systemic vasculitis? Experience in polyarteritis nodosa

No disponible

[Advances in the treatment of secondary osteoporosis]. / Avances en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis secundaria.

Osteoporosis is being increasingly recognised in paediatric practice as a consequence of the increasing life expectancy of children who suffer from chronic diseases and other factors. There are many non-pharmacological measures that can improve children' bone health, for example, avoiding inflammatory activity and osteotoxic treatments; increasing sun exposure and weight-bearing exercise, and maintaining an adequate nutritional status. Vitamin D and calcium supplements have been proposed as a measure to increase bone mass, but their effect and therapeutic indications are not completely clear. On the other hand, bisphosphonates are currently the only pharmacological alternative for the patients with infantile secondary osteoporosis. However, more studies are required on the therapeutic indications, posology, and long term secondary effects of biphosphonates. The aim of this article is to analyze the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the therapeutic alternatives for childhood secondary osteoporosis and their safety in children.

Avances en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis secundaria / Advances in the treatment of secondary osteoporosis

La osteoporosis es una enfermedad cada vez más prevalente en el niño debido al aumento de la esperanza de vida de los enfermos crónicos pediátricos, entre otros factores. Existen múltiples medidas no farmacológicas que han demostrado mejorar la salud ósea en los niños con enfermedad crónica, como son el control de la enfermedad de base, minimizar tratamientos osteotóxicos, aumentar la exposición solar y el ejercicio que soporta peso, así como una adecuada nutrición. La suplementación con vitamina D y calcio ha sido propuesta como medida favorecedora de la formación ósea, aunque sus efectos e indicaciones no están completamente aclarados. Además, el tratamiento con bifosfonatos es la única alternativa farmacológica que existe en la actualidad para los pacientes con osteoporosis infantil secundaria. Sin embargo, aún se necesitan más estudios para aclarar sus indicaciones, posología y efectos secundarios a largo plazo. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la evidencia científica existente hasta la fecha de la efectividad de las alternativas terapéuticas comentadas, así como la seguridad de las mismas en niños, en especial de los bifosfonatos

Osteoporosis is being increasingly recognised in paediatric practice as a consequence of the increasing life expectancy of children who suffer from chronic diseases and other factors. There are many non-pharmacological measures that can improve children’ bone health, for example, avoiding inflammatory activity and osteotoxic treatments; increasing sun exposure and weight-bearing exercise, and maintaining an adequate nutritional status. Vitamin D and calcium supplements have been proposed as a measure to increase bone mass, but their effect and therapeutic indications are not completely clear. On the other hand, bisphosphonates are currently the only pharmacological alternative for the patients with infantile secondary osteoporosis. However, more studies are required on the therapeutic indications, posology, and long term secondary effects of biphosphonates. The aim of this article is to analyze the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of thetherapeutic alternatives for childhood secondary osteoporosis and their safety in children

Invasive disease caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae III in a child with uropathy.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae represent a very small percentage of this kind of pathology in children, and it has scarcely been described in the medical literature. According to previous studies of over 800 urine samples in children under 15 years old, a decrease of 50% (from 0.13% to 0.07%) is estimated in its occurrence over the last two decades. This can be explained by the early detection of UTIs and their early empirical treatment, because this micro-organism shows high sensitivity to antibiotics. Also, the culture media in which this bacterium grows are not included in most current protocols. Here we report a case of a UTI caused by H. parainfluenzae in a 4-year-old boy.

Recomendaciones de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las adenitis por micobacterias no tuberculosas / Recommendations from the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases on the diagnosis and treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis

En las últimas dos décadas se ha producido un aumento en el número de aislamientos de micobacterias no tuberculosas (MNT) en nuestro medio. Sin embargo, las enfermedades producidas por MNT no son de declaración obligatoria, por lo que no existen registros nacionales que nos permitan disponer de datos de prevalencia e incidencia reales en España. La manifestación clínica más frecuente de la infección por MNT en niños inmunocompetentes es la adenitis cervical, que suele tener un curso crónico con tendencia a la fluctuación, fistulización y posterior cicatrización. Es fundamental establecer el diagnóstico diferencial con Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mucho menos frecuente en nuestro medio, pero con implicaciones epidemiológicas y aproximación terapéutica totalmente diferentes. Aunque el diagnóstico de sospecha es clínico, apoyándose en los resultados de la prueba de la tuberculina y las nuevas técnicas de diagnóstico inmunológico (interferon gammarelease assays), es recomendable la confirmación histológica/microbiológica mediante punción aspiración con aguja fina o biopsia escisional. La escisión quirúrgica completa es el tratamiento de elección. No debe realizarse el drenaje de la adenopatía por el riesgo de fistulización crónica y el mayor porcentaje de recidivas. En determinadas circunstancias, la actuación más adecuada será la observación clínica estrecha o el tratamiento médico con o sin cirugía diferida(AU)

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been increasingly isolated over the last20 years in Spain. However, as NTM disease is not a notifiable condition, there is no national registry, thus the true prevalence and incidence of these infections in children are difficult to estimate. Cervical adenitis is the most common clinical manifestation of NTM infection in immunocompetent children. The clinical course can be sub-acute or chronic, and is often associated with fluctuation, fistulisation, and scarring at a later stage. Although much less common, it is important to consider Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis, as the management and the epidemiological implications of tuberculous lymphadenitis are completely different. Diagnosis of NTM cervical lymphadenitis is based on a high level of clinical suspicion, supported by results of the tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA). Fine needle aspiration or excisional biopsy is usually required for histological and microbiological confirmation. Complete surgical excision of the affected nodes is the treatment of choice. Incision and drainage is not recommended, due to the high risk of chronic fistulisation and recurrence rate. Antibiotic treatment or conservative wait-and-see therapy may be indicated in certain circumstances(AU)

El lavado de manos: ¿una recomendación atendida? / No disponible

Objetivos: determinar la incidencia del lavado de manos en los padres, como factor preventivo en la propagación de infecciones respiratorias víricas en niños menores de dos años asignados a una zona básica de salud pediátrica, afectados por síntomas catarrales durante la época otoñal y coincidiendo con la campaña de vacunación antigripal. Material y métodos: sobre un total de 230 niños menores de dos años incluidos en la zona básica de salud pediátrica y atendidos en el Programa de Salud Infantil, 51 consultan durante la campaña de vacunación antigripal (octubre 2011) por presentar síntomas catarrales. Resultados: se incluyeron 51 niños (23 varones y 28 mujeres). Desde el punto de vista clínico, 33 casos se encontraban afebriles, 18 presentaban fiebre, y el 100% de los casos tenía mucosidad. El diagnóstico clínico fue rinofaringitis en 44 casos; bronquitis aguda en cinco casos y bronquiolitis en dos casos; 19 casos no presentaban ningún antecedente familiar; sin embargo, hasta en 32 casos había algún familiar cursando cuadro catarral. En cuanto a la realización del lavado de manos como medida preventiva, en 34 de los casos se afirmó no cumplir con esta medida, llevándose a cabo solo en 17 casos pese a las recomendaciones. Conclusiones: aunque se conoce la importancia del lavado de manos en la prevención de infecciones respiratorias y se incluye entre las recomendaciones ofrecidas en el Programa de Salud Infantil, solo el 33% de la población de nuestro estudio afirmó realizarla. Dicha recomendación puede también incluirse en las consultas a demanda durante la campaña antigripal, para favorecer su cumplimiento(AU)

No disponible

[Recommendations from the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases on the diagnosis and treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis]. / Recomendaciones de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las adenitis por micobacterias no tuberculosas.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been increasingly isolated over the last 20 years in Spain. However, as NTM disease is not a notifiable condition, there is no national registry, thus the true prevalence and incidence of these infections in children are difficult to estimate. Cervical adenitis is the most common clinical manifestation of NTM infection in immunocompetent children. The clinical course can be sub-acute or chronic, and is often associated with fluctuation, fistulisation, and scarring at a later stage. Although much less common, it is important to consider Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis, as the management and the epidemiological implications of tuberculous lymphadenitis are completely different. Diagnosis of NTM cervical lymphadenitis is based on a high level of clinical suspicion, supported by results of the tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA). Fine needle aspiration or excisional biopsy is usually required for histological and microbiological confirmation. Complete surgical excision of the affected nodes is the treatment of choice. Incision and drainage is not recommended, due to the high risk of chronic fistulisation and recurrence rate. Antibiotic treatment or conservative wait-and-see therapy may be indicated in certain circumstances.

Pamidronato: una alternativa terapéutica en osteomielitis crónica multifocal recurrente / Pamidronate: a therapeutic alternative in chronic recurrent mutifocal osteomyelitis

No disponible

Etravirine-based highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of etravirine in paediatric patients vertically infected with HIV-1. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study of 23 multidrug-resistant paediatric patients (five children and 18 adolescents) enrolled in the study from 1 September 2007 to 28 February 2010 was carried out. We performed a longitudinal analysis of immunological, virological and clinical data. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 14.2 years [interquartile range (IQR) 12.5-15.8 years]. At baseline, the median HIV-1 RNA was 29 000 (4.5 log(10) ) HIV-1 RNA copies/mL (range 4300-83 000 copies/mL), the median CD4 T-cell count was 445 cells/µL (range 221-655 cells/µL) and the median CD4 percentage was 19.6% (IQR 13.0-31.0). Remarkably, 16 of 23 patients (70%) harboured one or more etravirine-associated resistance mutations. The backbone regimen included at least two fully active drugs in 91% of patients. After etravirine-based therapy, 20 patients (87%) achieved HIV-1 RNA<400 copies/mL and 18 of 23 (78%) achieved HIV-1 RNA<50 copies/mL: three (13%) within the first month, seven (30%) within the first 4 months, and six (26%) between the 5th and 8th months. CD4 T-cell recovery was observed in 19 patients (83%). The median follow-up time was 48.4 weeks (IQR 35.7-63.4 weeks); four patients (17%) were exposed to etravirine for >120 weeks. Three mild/short-term and two moderate skin rashes were observed in the adolescents. Laboratory abnormalities included hypercholesterolaemia (11 of 23 patients), hypertriglyceridaemia (eight of 23 patients), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (10 of 23 patients). Adherence was complete in seven patients (30%). No patients showed complete resistance to etravirine after follow-up. However, three of 21 patients (14%) who initially showed intermediate resistance interrupted etravirine treatment because of virological failure. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a sustained antiviral response and improved immunological parameters in multidrug-resistant paediatric patients, most of whom had received etravirine as part of salvage regimens with at least two fully active drugs.

Filariosis en pacientes procedentes de área endémica. Presentación de una serie de 14 casos / Filarial infestation in patients emanating from endemic area. 14 cases series presentation

Introducción: Los flujos migratorios determinan la aparición de enfermedades emergentes. Una de éstas es la filariosis, de rara presentación en la edad pediátrica debido a su ciclo biológico. Se realiza una revisión de los casos de filariosis diagnosticados en los últimos años en una Unidad de Pediatría Tropical. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de 14 pacientes diagnosticados de filariosis entre 1995 y 2007 en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Carlos III (Madrid). Se analizan diferentes variables y se atienden las características clínicas, epidemiológicas, terapéuticas y evolutivas. Resultados: Todos los pacientes del estudio procedían de Guinea Ecuatorial, con edades comprendidas entre 3 y 15 años. Las especies aisladas fueron 6 casos de Onchocerca volvulus, 8 casos de Mansonella perstans y 2 casos de Loa loa. Dos casos presentaron filariosis mixta. El prurito fue el síntoma guía en el 71% de los casos. En el 78% de los pacientes se observó eosinofilia y fue L. loa la especie con cifras más elevadas. El 85% de los pacientes presentaba coparasitación, y la intestinal fue la más frecuente. El diagnóstico se realizó mediante biopsia epidérmica, detección de microfilaremia, visualización directa y serología. Los fármacos utilizados han sido mebendazol para los casos de mansonellosis e ivermectina o dietilcarbamacina para el resto de las especies. En los 8 casos que pudieron seguirse evolutivamente se demostró curación. Conclusiones: Es obligatorio realizar cribado de filariosis en todo paciente procedente de área endémica, especialmente en aquellos que presenten eosinofilia. El diagnóstico en la edad pediátrica, aunque difícil, permite prevenir el desarrollo de la enfermedad, las complicaciones graves como la ceguera e interrumpir el ciclo vital del parásito (AU)

Introduction: The migration causes the emergence of new diseases in our environment. One of them is the filariosis which, due to the biologic cycle peculiarity, it’s weird its appearance in pediatrics. This studio accomplishes a review of all the filariosis cases diagnosed the last years in an Unit specialized in Tropical Pediatrics Diseases. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis comprising 14 patients than were diagnosed with filariosis from 1995 to 2007 in the Pediatrics Unit of Carlos III Hospital (Madrid). They have been analyzed several variables to cope with clinic-epidemiological, therapeutics and evolutional characteristics. Results: All patients in the study came from Equatorial Guinea, their ages were between 3 and 15 years old. The isolated species were: 6 cases with O. volvulus, 8 with M. perstans and 2 with Loa-loa. The pruritus was the main symptom in the 71% of the cases. The eosinophilia was detected in the 78% of the patients, and the Loa-loa was the specie with higher figures. The 85% of the patients showed co-parasitation, being the intestinal the most frecuent. The diagnostics was established by epidermic biopsy, microfilaremia detection, direct visualization and serology. The utilized drugs were: Mebendazole for the cases with M. perstans and Ivermectin or Dietylcarbamazine for the rest of the species. One child showed mixed filariosis. The cure was successful in the 8 cases that could be followed up (AU)

[Antiretroviral drug toxicity in human immunodeficiency virus infected children]. / Toxicidad de fármacos antirretrovirales en niños infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

Paediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) nowadays is a chronic disease with an excellent long term prognosis, but lifelong combined antiretroviral treatment is required. However, an improved quality of life in this population is limited by adverse drug effects. The highest risk of treatment toxicity is developing a complete metabolic syndrome including: Hyperlipemia, lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, lactic acidosis, osteopenia, hypertension, and specific system and organ toxicity, such as the kidney, liver, CNS or bone marrow. The risk of cardiovascular disease adult life and also definitive bone mass damage are the most significant metabolic costs that have to paid for increased survival. Most of these toxicities were able to be adequately treated but, pharmacological interferences, patient intolerance and the high number of drugs are the problems that limit the adherence to treatment, which is essential for a good therapeutical efficacy. In this article, we present four HIV paediatric patients who presented with almost the whole range of metabolic toxicities, and a practical overview of therapeutical management.

Toxicidad de fármacos antirretrovirales en niños infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana / Antiretroviral drug toxicity in human immunodeficiency virus infected children

En la actualidad, la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en niños es una enfermedad crónica con un excelente pronóstico a largo plazo, pero que precisa tratamiento combinado con fármacos antirretrovirales de por vida. Sin embargo, la mejoría en la calidad de vida está limitada por los efectos secundarios de los fármacos; el más importante es la predisposición a un síndrome de toxicidad metabólica más o menos completo con: hiperlipidemia, lipodistrofia, resistencia a la insulina, acidosis láctica, osteopenia, hipertensión arterial y toxicidad específica de órganos como riñón, hígado, sistema nervioso central (SNC) y médula ósea. El riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en la vida adulta y la previsible alteración en la masa ósea definitiva son el coste metabólico más importante que hay que pagar por la supervivencia a largo plazo. Aunque muchas de estas alteraciones pueden tratarse adecuadamente, las interacciones farmacológicas, las intolerancias y el elevado número de pastillas ponen en riesgo el correcto cumplimiento, esencial para asegurar la eficacia terapéutica. Presentamos en este artículo a cuatro pacientes pediátricos que describen un abanico de posibilidades de toxicidad metabólica en niños infectados por el VIH, así como un enfoque práctico del tratamiento terapéutico (AU)

Paediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) nowadays is a chronic disease with an excellent long term prognosis, but lifelong combined antiretroviral treatment is required. However, an improved quality of life in this population is limited by adverse drug effects. The highest risk of treatment toxicity is developing a complete metabolic syndrome including: Hyperlipemia, lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, lactic acidosis, osteopenia, hypertension, and specific system and organ toxicity, such as the kidney, liver, CNS or bone marrow. The risk of cardiovascular disease adult life and also definitive bone mass damage are the most significant metabolic costs that have to paid for increased survival. Most of these toxicities were able to be adequately treated but, pharmacological interferences, patient intolerance and the high number of drugs are the problems that limit the adherence to treatment, which is essential for a good therapeutical efficacy. In this article, we present four HIV paediatric patients who presented with almost the whole range of metabolic toxicities, and a practical overview of therapeutical management (AU)