Value of combining targeted emergency nursing with psychological nursing in children with febrile convulsions

BACKGROUND Febrile convulsions are a common pediatric emergency that imposes significant psychological stress on children and their families.Targeted emergency care and psychological nursing are widely applied in clinical practice,but their value and impact on the management of pediatric febrile convulsions are unclear.AIM To determine the impact of targeted emergency nursing combined with psychological nursing on satisfaction in children with febrile convulsions.METHODS Data from 111 children with febrile convulsions who received treatment at Nantong Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital between June 2021 and October 2022 were analyzed.The control group consisted of 44 children who received conventional nursing care and the research group consisted of 67 children who received targeted emergency and psychological nursing.The time to fever resolution,time to resolution of convulsions,length of hospital stays,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,patient compliance,nursing satisfaction of the parents,occurrence of complications during the nursing process,and parental anxiety and depression were compared between the control and research groups.Parental anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAMD)and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HAMA).RESULTS The fever resolution,convulsion disappearance,and hospitalization times were longer in the control group compared with the research group(P<0.0001).The time to falling asleep,sleep time,sleep quality,sleep disturbance,sleep efficiency,and daytime status scores were significantly better in the research group compared with the control group(P<0.0001).The HAMD and HAMA scores for parents of children in the research group were lower than the scores in the control group after nursing(P<0.05).Compliance with treatment of children in the research group was higher than in the control group(P<0.05).Parental satisfaction with nursing in the research group was higher than in the control group(P<0.05).The total complication rate of children in the control group was higher than in the research group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Combining psychological nursing with targeted emergency nursing improved the satisfaction of children’s families and compliance with treatment and promoted early recovery of clinical symptoms and improvement of sleep quality.

Seroprevalence of dengue virus among adults presenting with acute febrile illness at a tertiary care hospital in South India

Dengue virus,a member of the Flavivirus genus in the Flaviviridae family,has four serotypes(DEN-1 to DEN-4),and is responsible for both mild and severe dengue fever(dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome)[1].Dengue cases are under reported in India and the cases are treated clinically based on the clinical triage of symptoms[2].Nonstructural protein(NS1)antigen is a highly conserved glycoprotein found in Flavivirus group such as Dengue,Zika,and Japanese encephalitis virus.Simultaneous detection of NS1 antigen,IgM and IgG antibody in a single cassette is used for testing primary and secondary dengue infection.Early diagnosis of disease progression associated with severe dengue and accessibility to appropriate medical care reduces severe dengue fatality rates to less than 1%.This retrospective study,conducted from January 2021 to December 2021 in the tertiary care hospital,South India,was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of dengue adult patients with acute febrile illness.

Efficacy and Safety Assessment of Antifungal Sequential Therapy from Micafungin to Liposomal Amphotericin B for Antibiotics-Refractory Febrile Neutropenia in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Invasive fungal infections are a major challenging problem in the management of febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients with hematologic malignancies. Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) or micafungin (MCFG) has been widely used as a first-line empirical antifungal therapy for suspected fungal infection in such patients. However, there are several issues in patients receiving these agents: drug related toxicities for L-AmB and breakthrough fungal infections for MCFG. In order to make the best use of these 2 agents, we conducted a prospective study of sequential therapy from MCFG to L-AmB, and evaluated the efficacy and safety of this strategy in FN patients with hematologic malignancies. A total of 18 patients were enrolled, and 11 patients who fulfilled the protocol defined criteria were evaluated. Underlying diseases consisted of acute leukemia (n = 9), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1), and myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 1). Treatment success was achieved in 8 patients (72.7%). Drug-related adverse events occurred in 8 patients (72.7%). All of those adverse events except one case were below grade 2. Three patients required discontinuation of L-AmB. Although our empirical antifungal sequential therapy seems to be encouraging for antibiotics-refractory FN in patients with hematologic malignancies, further investigation in large-scale studies is warranted.

Clinical analysis between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, interleukin-6 levels and febrile convulsion in children

Objective:To investigate the relation between febrile convulsions and 25hydroxy-vitamin D_(3)[25-(OH)D_(3)]and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels in children.Methods:241 children(divided into simple febrile convulsions and complex febrile convulsions),who were diagnosed with febrile convulsions at the Women and Children's Medical Center of Hainan Province from January 2017 to October 2022,were selected into the febrile convulsions group;100 healthy children,who had no uncomfortable symptoms and attended the outpatient clinic of the Women and Children's Medical Center of Hainan Province for physical examination,for the control group.All the subjects measured the serum 25-(OH)D_(3) and IL-6 levels,and clinical information,such as age,gender and season,was recorded.Results:1)Serum 25-(OH)D_(3) levels in the febrile convulsion group were significantly lower than in the healthy control group(78.77±20.37 nmol/L versus 96.55±29.74 nmol/L,respectively),and there was a statistically significant between the two groups(t value-6.359,P<0.001).Serum IL-6 levels in the febrile convulsion group were significantly higher than in the healthy control group,and there was a statistically significant between the two groups(Z value of-14.291,P<0.001).2)Serum 25-(OH)D_(3) levels in children with complex febrile convulsions were significantly lower than those in children with simple febrile convulsions,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(t-value of 6.612,P<0.05).IL-6 levels were higher in children with complex febrile convulsions than in children with simple febrile convulsions,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(Z value-10.151,P<0.001).The difference in the severity of febrile convulsions was statistically significant in serum 25-(OH)D_(3) levels(x^(2)=29.83,P<0.001).3)The results of correlation analysis showed that serum 25-(OH)D_(3) level was negatively correlated with febrile convulsion(γ=-0.393,P<0.05);serum 25-(OH)D_(3) level was positively correlated with that(γs=0.328,P<0.05).4)The correlation analysis results showed that the serum 25-(OH)D_(3) level was negatively correlated with the clinical characteristics of febrile convulsion(γ=-0.393,P<0.05).However,serum IL-6 water is positively correlated with it(γs=0.328,P<0.05).4)In contrast,there was no statistically significant difference in serum 25-(OH)D_(3) levels among children with febrile convulsions in different seasons(P>0.05).Conclusions:There is a correlation between febrile convulsion and serum levels of 25-(OH)D_(3) and IL-6.25-(OH)D_(3) and IL-6 may participate in the pathogenesis of febrile convulsion.

The enlightenment and application of“Laxative method used in early stage of Febrile Disease”in treating COVID-19

The theory of the TCM laxative method is rich in content.Doctors of past dynasties have used it to treat febrile diseases.And the theory of“Laxative method used in early stage of Febrile Disease”has been praised by later generations.It advocates chasing away evil influence early and paying attention to the laxative method to prevent the spread of disease.the Novel Coronavirus(COVID-19)Infectious Pneumonia belongs to the category of"epidemic"in traditional Chinese medicine.The reasonable application of the cathartic is an important way to provide a way out for evil.However,don’t be blind to use laxative method,you should get it at the right time.The treatment of COVID-19 has different solution at different stages.You should adapt to the changes of the disease to use cathartic.A case in here is attached for reference.

Viral and Bacterial Etiology of Acute Febrile Respiratory Syndrome among Patients in Qinghai, China

Objective This study was conducted to investigate the viral and bacterial etiology and epidemiology of patients with acute febrile respiratory syndrome(AFRS) in Qinghai using a commercial routine multiplex-ligation-nucleic acid amplification test(NAT)-based assay. Methods A total of 445 nasopharyngeal swabs specimens from patients with AFRS were analyzed using the RespiFinderSmart22 kit(PathoFinder BV, Netherlands) and the LightCycler 480 real-time PCR system. Results Among the 225(225/445, 51%) positive specimens, 329 positive pathogens were detected, including 298(90.58%) viruses and 31(9%) bacteria. The most commonly detected pathogens were influenza virus(IFV;37.39%;123/329), adenovirus(AdV;17.02%;56/329), human coronaviruses(HCoVs;10.94%;36/329), rhinovirus/enterovirus(RV/EV;10.03%;33/329), parainfluenza viruses(PIVs;8.51%;28/329), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae(M. pneu;8.51%;28/329), respectively. Among the co-infected cases(17.53%;78/445), IFV/AdV and IFV/M. pneu were the most common co-infections. Most of the respiratory viruses were detected in summer and fall. Conclusion In our study, IFV-A was the most common respiratory pathogen among 22 detected pathogens, followed by AdV, HCoV, RV/EV, PIV, and M. pneu. Bacteria appeared less frequently than viruses, and co-infection was the most common phenomenon among viral pathogens. Pathogens were distributed among different age groups and respiratory viruses were generally active in July, September, and November. Enhanced surveillance and early detection can be useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of AFRS, as well as for guiding the development of appropriate public health strategies.

Next-generation Sequencing Study of Pathogens in Serum from Patients with Febrile Jaundice in Sierra Leone

Objective People in Western Africa suffer greatly from febrile jaundice, which is caused by a variety of pathogens. However, yellow fever virus(YFV) is the only pathogen under surveillance in Sierra Leone owing to the undeveloped medical and public health system there. Most of the results of YFV identification are negative. Elucidation of the pathogen spectrum is required to reduce the prevalence of febrile jaundice. Methods In the present study, we used Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing to profile the pathogen spectrum in archived YFV‐negative sera from 96 patients in Sierra Leone who presented with unexplained febrile jaundice. Results The most frequently identified sequencing reads belonged to the following pathogens: cytomegalovirus(89.58%), Epstein‐Barr virus(55.21%), hepatitis C virus(34.38%), rhinovirus(28.13%), hepatitis A virus(20.83%), coxsackievirus(10.42%), Ebola virus(8.33%), hepatitis E virus(8.33%), lyssavirus(4.17%), leptospirosis(4.17%), chikungunya virus(2.08%), Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(1.04%), and hepatitis B virus(1.04%). Conclusion The distribution of sequencing reads suggests a broader spectrum of pathogens for consideration in clinical diagnostics and epidemiological surveillance in Sierra Leone.

Etiologies of tropical acute febrile illness in West Pahang, Malaysia: A prospective observational study

Objective: To determine the etiologies of tropical acute febrile illness(TAFI) in West Pahang, Malaysia and to investigate morbidity and mortality factors in relation to TAFI. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted between January and June 2016 in six district hospitals throughout the western part of Pahang State in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 336 patients answered a standardized questionnaire and blood samples were collected for laboratory confirmation of infectious etiology. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with TAFI. Results: A total of 336 patients were included. The patients were mainly Malays(70.2%), males(61.3%), aged(44.6±17.4) years, with more than half(58.9%) presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. The majority were diagnosed with dengue(35.7%) while malaria(4.5%) was the least frequent. The in-hospital mortality due to TAFI was 9.2%. Patients with meliodosis had five times higher mortality [Adjusted OR: 5.002, 95% CI:(1.233, 20.286)]. Patients with comorbidities such as cardiovascular symptoms(P<0.001) and renal replacement therapy initiation(P<0.001) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in all TAFI. Conclusions: The etiology of TAFI in the western Pahang includes dengue, leptospirosis, malaria and melioidosis, which carry the highest risk of in-hospital mortality. The presence of cardiovascular symptoms may be used to assess the disease severity in TAFI, but more studies are needed in the future.

Malaria helminth co-infections and their contribution for aneamia in febrile patients attending Azzezo health center,Gondar,Northwest Ethiopia:a cross sectional study

Objective:To assess the prevalence of malaria helminth co-infections and their contribution for aneamia in febrile patients attending Azzezo health center,Gondar,Northwest Ethiopia. Methods:A cross section study was conducted among febrile patients attending Azezo health center from February-March 30,2011.Convenient sampling technique was used to select 384 individuals.Both capillary blood and stool were collected.Giemsa stained thick and thin blood film were prepared for identification of Plasmodium species and stool sample was examined by direct wet mount and formalin-ether concentration technique for detection of intestinal helminthes parasites.Haemoglobin concentration was determined using a portable haemoglobin spectrophotometer,Hemocue Hb 201 analyzer.Results:Out of 384 febrile patients examined for malaria parasites,44(11.5%) individuals were positive for malaria parasites,of which Plasmodium vivax accounted for 75.0%(33),Plasmodium falciparum for 20.5%(9| infectious,whereas two person (4.5%) had mixed species infection.Prevalence of malaria was higher in males(28) when compared with prevalence in females(16).More than half(207,53.9%) of study participants had one or more infection.Prevalence was slightly higher in females(109,52.7%) than in males(98,47.3%).About helminths,Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant isolate(62.1%) followed by hookworms(18.4%). Only 22 participants were co-infected with malaria parasite and helminths and co-infection with Ascaris lumbricoides was predominant(45.0%).The prevalence of anemia was 10.9%and co-infection with Plasmodium and helminth parasites was significantly associated with(P【0.000 1) higher aneamia prevalence compared to individuals without any infection.Conclusions: Prevalence of malaria and soil transmitted helminths is high and the disease is still major health problem in the study area.Hence,simultaneous combat against the two parasitic infections is very crucial to improve health of the affected communities in economically developing countries.

Sero diagnosis of dengue activity in an unknown febrile outbreak at the Siliguri Town,District Darjeeling,West Bengal

Objective:To investigate the outbreak of unknown fever at Siliguri town,Darjeeling District on request from the State Health Department,Government of West Bengal.Methods: Investigations were made to the affected wards,Sub Divisional Hospital and the nursing homes of Siliguri Town.Duration of illness was 3-5 days.Interesting observations were made in some cases which had gastrointestinal disorders with high serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase(SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(SCOT) levels.A total of 69 blood samples and 7 throat swabs(in Minimum Essential Media) were collected and brought to the ICMR Virus Unit, Kolkata for analysis.Mosquitoes from different affected areas were collected for the identification of the definite vector.Results:Amongst the 69 blood samples,42(60.86%) were positive to IgM antibody against dengue virus by Mac enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) test.No IgM antibody to Japanese encephalitis virus was detected among the collected blood samples.Based on the clinical symptoms,presence of IgM antibody to dengue virus and identification of Aedes mosquito,it amply proves that,the illness of those cases were due to dengue virus infection. Conclusions:Based on clinical-epidemiological observations of the investigations the possibility of a communicable disease of viral origin,the detection of IgM antibody and the identification of Aedes egypti,and the potential circulation of denge virus in Siliguri town for the first time were all suggested.

Microglial displacement of GABAergic synapses has endogenous protective function in generation of complex febrile seizures

OBJECTIVE Microglia-mediated dis-placement of synapses has been reported in the setting of experimental neuroinflammation,but its role in neurological disorders is poorly understood.Complex febrile seizures(FS) are the most common infantile seizures,yet its pathological progress is largely unknown.METHODS Mice pups(postnatal 8-10 d) were posted to 43℃ hyperthermia condition to develop FS,and then the latency and threshold of seizures were determined.The displacement of synapses was observed through immunofluorescence staining.We researched whether microglial displacement of GABAergic synapses will influence complex FS-induced increase in GABAergic neurotransmission and neuronal excitability with patch-clamp electrophysiology.Moreover,we used the CD11 bD TR mice to selective ablation of microglia or pharmacological inhibition of microglia to observe their effects on susceptibility to FS and synaptic stripping.RESULTS GABAergic presynaptic terminals surrounding neuronal soma and GABAergic transmissions were increased in complex FS.Meanwhile,the activated microglia ensheathe glutamatergic neuronal soma to displace,but do not phagocytize,GABAergic presynaptic terminals.Patch-clamp electrophysiology established that the microglial displacement of GABAergic synapses reduced complex FS-induced increase in GABAergic neurotransmission and neuronal excitability,while GABA exerts excitatory action in this immature stage.Moreover,pharmacological inhibition of microglial displacement of GABAergic synapses or selective ablation of microglia in CD11 bDTR mice promoted the generation of complex FS.CONCLUSION Displacement of GABAergic synapses by microglia is a protective event in the pathological progress of complex FS.

Repeated febrile convulsions impair hippocampal neurons and cause synaptic damage in immature rats: neuroprotective effect of fructose-1,6-diphosphate

Fructose-1,6-diphosphate is a metabolic intermediate that promotes cell metabolism. We hypothesize that fructose-1,6-diphosphate can protect against neuronal damage induced by febrile convulsions. Hot-water bathing was used to establish a repetitive febrile convulsion model in rats aged 21 days, equivalent to 3–5 years in humans. Ninety minutes before each seizure induction, rats received an intraperitoneal injection of low- or high-dose fructose-1,6-diphosphate（500 or 1,000 mg/kg, respectively）. Low- and high-dose fructose-1,6-diphosphate prolonged the latency and shortened the duration of seizures. Furthermore, high-dose fructose-1,6-diphosphate effectively reduced seizure severity. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that 24 hours after the last seizure, high-dose fructose-1,6-diphosphate reduced mitochondrial swelling, rough endoplasmic reticulum degranulation, Golgi dilation and synaptic cleft size, and increased synaptic active zone length, postsynaptic density thickness, and synaptic interface curvature in the hippocampal CA1 area. The present findings suggest that fructose-1,6-diphosphate is a neuroprotectant against hippocampal neuron and synapse damage induced by repeated febrile convulsion in immature rats.

Historical Cohort Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Piperacillin/Tazobactam Versus Fourth-Generation Cephalosporins for Empirical Treatment of Febrile Neutropenia in Patients with Hematological Malignancies

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination drug piperacillin/tazobactam (PIPC/TAZ) in comparison with those of fourth-generation cephalosporins (4th Cephs) as initial empirical treatment in hematological malignancies patients with febrile neutropenia (FN). Among 200 patients assessed in this study, 49 had received PIPC/TAZ and 151 4th Cephs. Patient background characteristics were comparable between the two treatment groups. The overall efficacy rate in those receiving 4th Cephs and PIPC/TAZ was 57.0% (86/151 patients) and 59.2% (29/49 patients), respectively, with no significant difference detected between the two treatment regimens (P = 0.78). Treat-ment did not need to be discontinued or interrupted due to development of adverse drug reactions in any of the patients. Therefore in this study the efficacy and safety of PIPC/TAZ as initial antimicrobial treatment for FN in patients with hematological malignancies were not inferior to those of 4th Cephs. Based on the preliminary data obtained in this study, we propose to conduct a multicenter, prospective, controlled study to compare PIPC/TAZ versus CFPM given as empirical antimicrobial treatment against FN in patients with hematological malignancies.

Effect of zinc protoporphyrin on carbon monoxide/heme oxygenase-1 system in rats subjected to recurrent febrile convulsion

BACKGROUND： Studies on febrile convulsion （FC）-caused brain injury are disputed in many aspects. How FC cause nervous system injury in the developmental period and what are the characteristics of these pathological injury are unknown. The current studies have demonstrated that berne oxygenase-1 （HO-1） exerts effects on brain injury mainly by catalyzing hemoglobin to produce degradation products, and HO-1 not only has neuroprotective effects, but also has neurotoxic effects during the FC-caused brain injury. Study on the effect of zinc protoporphyrin （ZnPP） on brain injury is still in the stage of animal experiment. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of ZnPP on carbon monoxide （CO）/HO-1 system of rats subjected to FC, and to analyze the action pathway of ZnPP in brain protective effect. DESIGN： A randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING： Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital Affiliated to Jiamusi University. MATERIALS： Sixty-five Wistar rats, of either gender, were involved in this study. They were randomized into normal control group（ n =14, 37℃ water bath） and febrile treatment group （n =51, 44.5℃ hot water bath）. Febrile treatment group was sub-divided into febrile non-convulsion group （FNC group, n =16） and FC group （n =35）. FC group was further sub-divided into simple convulsion group （n =20） and ZnPP treatment group （n =15）. HO-1 mRNA in situ hybridization kit was provided by Boster Bioengineering Co.,Ltd. ZnPP（dark brown powder） was the product of Jingmei Bioengineering Company. METHODS： This study was carried out in the postgraduate laboratory of Jiamusi University between January 2004 and January 2007. Rats in the febrile treatment group were placed in the 44.5℃ hot water bath box. If rats did not convulse in the water within 5 minutes, they were taken out, namely FNC group （n = 16）, and those, which were convulsed within 5 minutes, were taken out immediately when they presented such a phenomenon, namely FC group （n =35）. Convulsion induction was conducted once every other day, totally 10 times. Rats were euthanized for analysis at 24 hours after the last induction. Rats in the control group were placed in the 37℃ water. Rats in the ZnPP treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with ZnPP at 45 μ mol/kg before FC attack. Rats in the simple convulsion group were only induced to be convulsed but not administrated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： CO level in the brain tissue homogenate and plasma of rats in each group was detected with a spectrophotometer. HO-1 mRNA expression in the hippocampal CAI region, CA3 region and dentate gyrus of rats was observed by in situ hybridization technique. RESULTS： Sixty-five Wistar rats were involved in the study. Two rats died respectively due to drowning and convulsion in the FC group. One rat died due to convulsion drowning in the ZnPP treatment group. ①Plasma CO concentration of control group and ZnPP treatment group was significantly lower than that of the FC group （P 〈 0.01）, and was significantly higher in the ZnPP treatment group than in the FNC group （P 〈 0.05）. ②CO level in the brain tissue homogenate was significantly lower in the control group and ZnPP treatment group than in the FC group （P 〈 0.01）, and was very significantly higher in the ZnPP treatment group than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. ③HO-1 mRNA expressions in the neuron of hippocampal CAl region, CA3 region and dentate gyrus of the control group were the lowerest, and those in the FC group were the highest. HO-1 mRNA expression in the neuron of dentate gyrus in the FC group was significantly higher than that in the ZnPP treatment group （P 〈 0.01）, and those in the FNC group and control group was significantly lower than that in the ZnPP treatment group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： FC can cause brain injury. Over-expression of HO-I mRNA and the increase of CO are involved in the patho-physiological process of FC. ZnPP can inhibit HO-lmRNA activity and decrease CO level, which is one of pathways for protecting brain.

Gentianine protects hippocampal neurons in a rat model of recurrent febrile convulsion

Gentianine has been shown to have a protective effect on hippocampal CA1 neurons in rats subjected to recurrent febrile convulsion（FC）.The present study sought to explore the possible mechanism of gentianine by intraperitoneally injecting gentianine into rats with warm water-induced FC.The results revealed that neuronal organelle injury was slightly ameliorated in the hippocampal CA1 region.The level of glutamate was decreased,but the level of γ-aminobutyric acid was increased,as detected by ninhydrin staining.In addition,glutamate acid decarboxylase expression in hippocampal CA1 was increased,as determined by immunohistochemistry.The results demonstrated that gentianine can ameliorate FC-induced neuronal injury by enhancing glutamate acid decarboxylase activity,decreasing glutamate levels and increasing γ-aminobutyric acid levels.

Prevalence of recent immunisation in children with febrile convulsions

AIM:To determine the prevalence of recent immunisation amongst children under 7 years of age presenting for febrile convulsions.METHODS:This is a retrospective study of all children under the age of seven presenting with febrile convulsions to a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney.A total of 78 cases occurred in the period January 2011 to July 2012 and were included in the study.Data was extracted from medical records to provide a retrospective review of the convulsions.RESULTS:Of the 78 total cases,there were five medical records which contained information on whether or not immunisation had been administered in the preceding 48 h to presentation to the emergency department.Of these five patients only one patient(1.28%of the study population) was confirmed to have received a vaccination with Infanrix,Prevnar and Rotavirus.The majority of cases reported a current infection as a likely precipitant to the febrile convulsion.CONCLUSION:This study found a very low prevalence of recent immunisation amongst children with febrile convulsions presenting to an emergency department at a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney.This finding,however,may have been distorted by underreporting of vaccination history.

Update on Healthcare-Associated Blood Stream Infections in Febrile Neutropenic Pediatric Oncology Patients

Background: Continuous surveillance of pattern of blood stream infection is necessary in febrile neutropenia especially with the recent escalating trend in the management of pediatric cancer patients towards intensified regimens and with the increase in infections caused by resistant organisms limiting the choice of antibiotics. Aim: Monitoring if a change has occurred in pattern of blood stream infections (BSI) in febrile neutropenic (FN) pediatric cancer patients. Methods: Surveillance of FN episodes with positive BSI was prospectively monitored and compared to a previous surveillance in the same pediatric oncology unit. Results: A total of 232 BSI positive episodes were documented in 192 patients during a 6 months period. The results of recent surveillance analysis showed an increase in intensified regimens of chemotherapy, antimicrobial resistance, and prolonged duration of episodes when compared to previous surveillance, with a p value of <0.001, 0.005, and <0.001, respectively. There was an apparent decrease in the crude mortality but this was not statistically significant, 6% in 2011 and 10% in 2006. Conclusion: The pattern of BSI at our institution is still inclining towards gram positive organisms but is showing a shift towards more antibiotic resistance and prolonged episodes.

Arboviruses emerging in Peru: Need for early detection of febrile syndrome during El Ni?o episodes

The presence of El Ni?o Southern Oscillation(ENSO)implies the presence of fluctuating rains in coastal areas and these changes influence the occurrence of febrile syndromes outbreaks.In Peru,Aedes aegypti is the vector responsible for various viruses such as the dengue,Zika,chikungunya,which is distributed in 18 Peruvian departments.These viruses cause similar clinical characteristics in the host and for this reason rapid,sensitive and specific diagnostic tests are needed so that the patient can receive timely treatment.

Procalcitonin as a marker of infection in febrile neutropenia:A systematic review

Aim: Management of febrile neutropenia is challenged by lacking microbiological and clinical documentation of infection. Procalcitonin is emerging as a new promising biomarker of infection. We aimed to undertake a systematic review evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin as a marker of infection in febrile neutropenia. Methods: We performed a systematic re- view of the literature using the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library including a search of the grey literature (e.g. unpublished data, web sides of relevant societies). The methodological quality was assessed using predefined criteria. The relevant data were extracted and analyzed by two authors. Results: The literature search yielded a total of 193 studies of which nine were eligible for inclusion. There was a great variation in the quality of the methodological design. A notable heterogeneity exists regarding the studied populations and the definition of the reference standards. Among the nine included studies the sensitivity ranged from 42% to 72% and the specificity ranged from 64% - 89% at a cut off value ranging from 0.5 - 0.8 ng/ml. The studied endpoint was either microbiologically or clinically documented infection. Four studies found procalcitonin superior to Creactive protein in discriminating infection from the various other causes of fever. Conclusion: Procalcitonin appears to be a promising biomarker and might add new diagnostic information in the management of febrile neutropenia.