Pediatrics Commons^™

Clarification Of Adverse Drug Reactions By A Pharmacovigilance Team Results In Increased Antibiotic Re-Prescribing At A Freestanding United States Children's Hospital., Keith Feldman, Sarah Suppes, Jennifer Goldman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Documentation of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is a key factor in guiding future prescribing. However, incomplete documentation is common and often fails to distinguish implicated drugs as true allergies. This in turn leads to unnecessary avoidance of implicated drug classes and may result in sub-optimal prescribing. Pharmacovigilance (PV) programs utilize a systematic approach to clarify ADR documentation and are known to improve patient safety. Yet it remains unclear if PV alters prescribing. Or, if the existence of the ADR documentation itself continues to prompt avoidance of implicated drugs. To address this, our work presents a retrospective cohort study assessing if …

Levofloxacin Prophylaxis For Pediatric Leukemia Patients: Monitoring Of Outcomes For Sustained Benefit And Consequences, Andrea L Davis, Alexandra M Stevens, Julienne Brackett, Lucila Marquez, Catherine E Foster, Adriana Sarmiento Clemente, Hannah E Sauer, Grant T Stimes, Judith R Campbell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Levofloxacin prophylaxis reduces bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients with acute myeloid leukemia or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study compares incidence of bacteremia, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), and Clostridioides difficile (CDI) between time periods of levofloxacin prophylaxis implementation. Benefits were sustained without increasing MDRO or CDI.

Development And Validation Of A Multiplex Real-Time Pcr Assay For Detection And Quantification Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae In Pediatric Respiratory Samples, Molly Butler, Garrett Breazeale, Eric Mwangi, Elaine Dowell, Samuel R Dominguez, Linda Lamberth, Kristina G Hultén, Sarah A Jung

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is a bacterial pathogen that causes a range of disease manifestations in children, from acute otitis media to pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis. Primary Spn laboratory diagnostic identification methods include culture, antigen testing, single-plex real-time PCR, and syndromic PCR panels. However, each method lacks sensitivity, specificity, and/or cost efficiency. We developed and validated a quantitative, multiplex PCR assay using three Spn genomic targets (lytA, piaB, and SP2020) for improved sensitivity and specificity to detect Spn in pleural fluid (PF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), tracheal aspirate (TA), and upper respiratory (UR, research only) samples. Validation testing …

The Modified Clinical Progression Scale For Pediatric Patients: Evaluation As A Severity Metric And Outcome Measure In Severe Acute Viral Respiratory Illness., Shannon B. Leland, Steven J. Staffa, Margaret M. Newhams, Robinder G. Khemani, John C. Marshall, Cameron C. Young, Aline B. Maddux, Mark W. Hall, Scott L. Weiss, Adam J. Schwarz, Bria M. Coates, Ronald C. Sanders, Michele Kong, Neal J. Thomas, Ryan A. Nofziger, Melissa L. Cullimore, Natasha B. Halasa, Laura L. Loftis, Natalie Z. Cvijanovich, Jennifer E. Schuster, Heidi Flori, Shira J. Gertz, Janet R. Hume, Samantha M. Olson, Manish M. Patel, David Zurakowski, Adrienne G. Randolph, Pediatric Acute Lung And Sepsis Investigator’S Network Pediatric Intensive Care Influenza Study Group (Palisi Picflu) Investigators And Overcoming Covid-19 Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: To develop, evaluate, and explore the use of a pediatric ordinal score as a potential clinical trial outcome metric in children hospitalized with acute hypoxic respiratory failure caused by viral respiratory infections.

DESIGN: We modified the World Health Organization Clinical Progression Scale for pediatric patients (CPS-Ped) and assigned CPS-Ped at admission, days 2-4, 7, and 14. We identified predictors of clinical improvement (day 14 CPS-Ped ≤ 2 or a three-point decrease) using competing risks regression and compared clinical improvement to hospital length of stay (LOS) and ventilator-free days. We estimated sample sizes (80% power) to detect a 15% clinical …

Sars-Cov-2 Epidemiology And Covid-19 Mrna Vaccine Effectiveness Among Infants And Children Aged 6 Months-4 Years - New Vaccine Surveillance Network, United States, July 2022-September 2023., Ayzsa Tannis, Janet A. Englund, Ariana Perez, Elizabeth J. Harker, Mary Allen Staat, Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, Natasha B. Halasa, Laura S. Stewart, John V. Williams, Marian G. Michaels, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer E. Schuster, Leila C. Sahni, Julie A. Boom, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Peter G. Szilagyi, Benjamin R. Clopper, Yingtao Zhou, Meredith L. Mcmorrow, Eileen J. Klein, Heidi L. Moline

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

SARS-CoV-2 infection in young children is often mild or asymptomatic; however, some children are at risk for severe disease. Data describing the protective effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines against COVID-19-associated emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalization in this population are limited. Data from the New Vaccine Surveillance Network, a prospective population-based surveillance system, were used to estimate vaccine effectiveness using a test-negative, case-control design and describe the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in infants and children aged 6 months-4 years during July 1, 2022-September 30, 2023. Among 7,434 children included, 5% received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result, and 95% received a negative …

Pharmacokinetics And Safety Of A Single Dose Of Telavancin In Pediatric Subjects 2-17 Years Of Age., John S. Bradley, Jennifer Goldman, Laura P. James, Byron Kaelin, Breanne H Y Gibson, Antonio Arrieta

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Antimicrobial resistance increases infection morbidity in both adults and children, necessitating the development of new therapeutic options. Telavancin, an antibiotic approved in the United States for certain bacterial infections in adults, has not been examined in pediatric patients. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the short-term safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of a single intravenous infusion of telavancin in pediatric patients. Single-dose safety and PK of 10 mg/kg telavancin was investigated in pediatric subjects >12 months to ≤17 years of age with known or suspected bacterial infection. Plasma was collected up to 24-h post-infusion and analyzed for concentrations of …

Building Up A Genomic Surveillance Platform For Sars-Cov-2 In The Middle Of A Pandemic: A True North-South Collaboration, Waqasuddin Khan, Furqan Kabir, Samiah Kanwar, Fatima Aziz, Sahrish Muneer, Adil Kalam, Mehdia Ali, Nadia Ansari, Fyezah Jehan, Muhammad Imran Nisar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Next-generation sequencing technology has revolutionised pathogen surveillance over the last two decades. However, the benefits are not equitably distributed, with developing countries lagging far behind in acquiring the required technology and analytical capacity. Recent declines in the cost associated with sequencing-equipment and running consumables have created an opportunity for broader adoption. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid diagnostics development and DNA sequencing revolutionised the ability to diagnose and sequence SARS-CoV-2 rapidly. Socioeconomic inequalities substantially impact the ability to sequence SARS-CoV-2 strains and undermine a developing country's pandemic preparedness. Low- and middle-income countries face additional challenges in establishing, maintaining and expanding genomic …

Risk Factors For Health Impairments In Children After Hospitalization For Acute Covid-19 Or Mis-C., Aline B. Maddux, Cameron C. Young, Suden Kucukak, Laura D. Zambrano, Margaret M. Newhams, Caitlin K. Rollins, Natasha B. Halasa, Shira J. Gertz, Elizabeth H. Mack, Stephanie Schwartz, Michele Kong, Laura L. Loftis, Katherine Irby, Courtney M. Rowan, Keiko M. Tarquinio, Matt S. Zinter, Hillary Crandall, Natalie Z. Cvijanovich, Jennifer E. Schuster, Julie C. Fitzgerald, Mary A. Staat, Charlotte V. Hobbs, Ryan A. Nofziger, Steven Shein, Heidi Flori, Melissa L. Cullimore, Brandon M. Chatani, Emily R. Levy, Katri V. Typpo, Janet R. Hume, Angela P. Campbell, Adrienne G. Randolph, Overcoming Covid-19 Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for persistent impairments after pediatric hospitalization for acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

METHODS: Across 25 U.S. Overcoming COVID-19Network hospitals, we conducted a prospective cohort study of patients

RESULTS: Of 232 children with acute COVID-19, 71 (30.6%) had persistent symptoms and 50 (21.6%) had activity impairments at follow-up; for MIS-C (n = 241), 56 (23.2%) had persistent symptoms and 58 (24.1%) had activity impairments. In adjusted analyses of patients with acute COVID-19, receipt of mechanical ventilation was associated with persistent symptoms [aRR 1.83 …

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children (Mis-C): Is There A Relationship To Typhus?, Sravani Mannuru, Juliana Hager, Jacob Smith

Research Colloquium

The United Kingdom first reported in April 2020 a group of eight previously healthy children with a link to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that presented with systemic inflammation and multi-organ involvement, now named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported over 1000 cases since the primary discovery as of October 2020 with 20 total deaths. [1] The clinical features of MIS-C have been previously compared to inflammatory syndromes including Kawasaki disease (KD) and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). We describe the clinical presentation and management for 3 pediatric cases with …

Comparison Of Bacterial Culture With Biofire® Filmarray® Multiplex Pcr Screening Of Archived Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens From Children With Suspected Bacterial Meningitis In Nigeria, S Obaro, F Hassan-Hanga, N Medugu, Rasaq Olaosebikan, G Olanipekun, B Jibir, S Gambo, Theresa Ajose, Carissa Duru, B Ebruke, H D Davies

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis remains a challenge in most developing countries due to low yield from bacterial culture, widespread use of non-prescription antibiotics, and weak microbiology laboratories. The objective of this study was to compare the yield from standard bacterial culture with the multiplex nested PCR platform, the BioFire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (BioFire ME Panel), for cases with suspected acute bacterial meningitis.

METHODS: Following Gram stain and bacterial culture on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from children aged less than 5 years with a clinical suspicion of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) as defined by the WHO guidelines, residual CSF specimens …

Factors Associated With Respiratory Pathogen Panel Utilization In Children Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Illness — New Vaccine Surveillance Network, Kansas City, 2017–2021, Edward Lyon, Brian R. Lee, Benjamin Clopper, Heidi L. Moline, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer Schuster

Posters

Background: Respiratory pathogen panels (RPP) are multiplex PCR platforms that detect several respiratory viruses from one specimen. For most children hospitalized with acute respiratory illness (ARI), management is supportive, and detection of a specific virus from RPP does not impact clinical care. Therefore, clinical RPP use is not standardized, and ordering is at the discretion of the clinician. We sought to understand factors associated with RPP utilization among pediatric patients hospitalized with ARI. Methods: From October 2017 to September 2021, participants < 18 years hospitalized with ARI were enrolled at a single site in the New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN). Eligible patients were residents of Jackson County, MO, had one or more ARI symptoms (e.g., cough, fever, nasal congestion) lasting < 14 days, and were enrolled within 48 hours of admission. Parent interviews and medical chart reviews were conducted. All participants had a research RPP, but results were not available to the clinical providers. Clinical providers were able to order a clinical RPP (cRPP), for which they received test results. Characteristics of NVSN enrollees hospitalized with ARI with and without a cRPP are described. Lastly, medical complexity was assessed via the pediatric complex chronic conditions classification system (CCC) then analyzed via chi- square test between groups. Findings: During the study period, 1,038 participants were enrolled, and 555 (53.4%) received a cRPP. Most, 299 (53%), cRPPs were ordered in the emergency department or urgent care before admission. Age was a significant factor associated with cRPP use (Table 1). cRPP participants were more likely to have complex chronic conditions, and/or technology dependence. No difference in cRPP use was observed by race/ethnicity, payer status, or sex. More participants were enrolled in 2020-2021, but the overall usage of cRPP is similar between years (Table 2). Conclusions: In this large cohort of children hospitalized with ARI, medical complexity, technological dependence, and age < 2 months were associated with increased utilization of cRPPs. Understanding the impact of cRPP on clinical care requires further investigation to better understand the utility of these tests.

Increasing Vaccination Rates Of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Among Patients At High-Risk For Invasive Pneumococcal Disease., Edward Lyon, Tracey Wetzel, Ann L. Wirtz, Douglas Swanson, Rachel Moran, Jessica Peters, Christine Symes, Liset Olarte, Rana El Feghaly

Posters

Introduction: Pneumococcal disease causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. Routine childhood immunizations protect for 13 or 15 pneumococcal serotypes via two pneumococcal conjugated vaccines. Patients with immunocompromising and chronic medical conditions are at high risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. A 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended in these patients to protect against more pneumococcal serotypes, but many patients have not received it. Our AIM is to increase PPSV23 vaccination rates among eligible patients in both the inpatient and outpatient infectious diseases (ID) settings from a baseline of 44% to 55% by October 2024. Methods: In collaboration with Children’s …

Review Of Toxocariasis At A Children's Hospital Prompting Need For Public Health Interventions, Mary B Fortini, Timothy A Erickson, Lauren M Leining, Karina M Robinson, Megan N Carey, Sarah J Smith, Brendan Sullivan, Alisa R Nelson, Sarah M Gunter, Jill E Weatherhead

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis, caused the by dog and cat roundworm, is one of the most common zoonotic helminth infections in the United States and can lead to severe lifelong morbidity in children. Although historical seroprevalence studies have identified a high frequency of toxocariasis regionally in the United States, there are few studies linking epidemiology and clinical disease in children. The study objective was to examine the contemporary epidemiology of pediatric toxocariasis within an endemic US region.

METHODS: We conducted an epidemiologic study analyzing children diagnosed with toxocariasis presenting to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Texas from 2010 to 2021. We examined …

Pediatric Covid-19 Encephalitis, Nelson D. Gonzalez, Dustin Paul, Ana Almeda, Samuel Serna, Linette Linsangan

Research Symposium

Background: Neurologic complications of COVID-19 in the pediatric population have been reported in a limited number of reports. There have been reports of COVID-19-associated encephalitis in pediatric cases along with neuroimaging findings revealing involvement of some parts of the nervous system. We present the first case of pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - associated encephalitis targeting the parietal lobes.

Case: A 14-year-old morbidly obese Hispanic male with no past medical history presented to the hospital for new onset seizures. Family reported exposure to his COVID-19 positive mother, a one-week history of fever, and a three-month history of …

Effectiveness Of Maternal Mrna Covid-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Against Covid-19-Associated Hospitalizations In Infants Aged <6 Months During Sars-Cov-2 Omicron Predominance - 20 States, March 9, 2022-May 31, 2023., Regina M. Simeone, Laura D. Zambrano, Natasha B. Halasa, Katherine E. Fleming-Dutra, Margaret M. Newhams, Michael J. Wu, Amber O. Orzel-Lockwood, Satoshi Kamidani, Pia S. Pannaraj, Katherine Irby, Aline B. Maddux, Charlotte V. Hobbs, Melissa A. Cameron, Julie A. Boom, Leila C. Sahni, Michele Kong, Ryan A. Nofziger, Jennifer E. Schuster, Hillary Crandall, Janet R. Hume, Mary A. Staat, Elizabeth H. Mack, Tamara T. Bradford, Sabrina M. Heidemann, Emily R. Levy, Shira J. Gertz, Samina S. Bhumbra, Tracie C. Walker, Katherine E. Bline, Kelly N. Michelson, Matt S. Zinter, Heidi R. Flori, Angela P. Campbell, Adrienne G. Randolph, Overcoming Covid-19 Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Infants aged < 6 months are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination during pregnancy has been associated with protection against infant COVID-19-related hospitalization. The Overcoming COVID-19 Network conducted a case-control study during March 9, 2022-May 31, 2023, to evaluate the effectiveness of maternal receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine dose (vaccine effectiveness [VE]) during pregnancy against COVID-19-related hospitalization in infants aged < 6 months and a subset of infants aged < 3 months. VE was calculated as (1 - adjusted odds ratio) x 100% among all infants aged < 6 months and < 3 months. Case-patients (infants hospitalized for COVID-19 outside of birth hospitalization and who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result) and control patients (infants hospitalized for COVID-19-like illness with a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result) were compared. Odds ratios were determined using multivariable logistic regression, comparing the odds of receipt of a maternal COVID-19 vaccine dose (completion of a 2-dose vaccination series or a third or higher dose) during pregnancy with maternal nonvaccination between case- and control patients. VE of maternal vaccination during pregnancy against COVID-19-related hospitalization was 35% (95% CI = 15%-51%) among infants aged < 6 months and 54% (95% CI = 32%-68%) among infants aged < 3 months. Intensive care unit admissions occurred in 23% of all case-patients, and invasive mechanical ventilation was more common among infants of unvaccinated (9%) compared with vaccinated mothers (1%) (p = 0.02). Maternal vaccination during pregnancy provides some protection against COVID-19-related hospitalizations among infants, particularly those aged < 3 months. Expectant mothers should remain current with COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and their infants from hospitalization and severe outcomes associated with COVID-19.

Adjunctive Diagnostic Studies Completed Following Detection Of Candidemia In Children: Secondary Analysis Of Observed Practice From A Multicenter Cohort Study Conducted By The Pediatric Fungal Network, Rachel L Wattier, Robert F T Bucayu, Craig L K Boge, Rachael K Ross, Inci Yildirim, Theoklis E Zaoutis, Debra L Palazzi, Surabhi B Vora, Elio Castagnola, Martha Avilés-Robles, Lara Danziger-Isakov, Alison C Tribble, Tanvi S Sharma, Antonio C Arrieta, Gabriela Maron, David M Berman, Dwight E Yin, Lillian Sung, Michael Green, Emmanuel Roilides, Kiran Belani, José Romero, Pere Soler-Palacin, Eduardo López-Medina, Dawn Nolt, Ibrahim Zaid Bin Hussain, William J Muller, Sarmistha B Hauger, Natasha Halasa, Daniel Dulek, Alice Pong, Blanca E Gonzalez, Mark J Abzug, Fabianne Carlesse, Anna R Huppler, Sujatha Rajan, Catherine Aftandilian, Monica I Ardura, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Benjamin Hanisch, Christine M Salvatore, Lena Klingspor, Elizabeth D Knackstedt, Irja Lutsar, Maria E Santolaya, Sydney Shuster, Sarah K Johnson, William J Steinbach, Brian T Fisher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Adjunctive diagnostic studies (aDS) are recommended to identify occult dissemination in patients with candidemia. Patterns of evaluation with aDS across pediatric settings are unknown.

METHODS: Candidemia episodes were included in a secondary analysis of a multicenter comparative effectiveness study that prospectively enrolled participants age 120 days to 17 years with invasive candidiasis (predominantly candidemia) from 2014 to 2017. Ophthalmologic examination (OE), abdominal imaging (AbdImg), echocardiogram, neuroimaging, and lumbar puncture (LP) were performed per clinician discretion. Adjunctive diagnostic studies performance and positive results were determined per episode, within 30 days from candidemia onset. Associations of aDS performance with episode characteristics …

Kneiffiella Palmae: A Non-Aspergillus Fungal Infection Isolated From A Pulmonary Nodule In A Child With Chronic Granulomatous Disease, Bianca E. Ituarte, Connie Canete-Gibas, Nathan P. Wiederhold, Liset Olarte

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

We report the first known human case of Kneiffiella palmae in the medical literature. K. palmae was isolated from a pulmonary nodule in a 7-year-old male with chronic granulomatous disease. The mold was identified as K. palmae at a national reference laboratory, where 17 other human respiratory samples tested positive for K. palmae from 2013 to 2021. Optimal antimicrobial treatment is unknown, but azoles and amphotericin B demonstrated in vitro activity against each tested isolate.

Covid-19 Disease Characterization And Outcomes Comparison In Pediatrics, Rachel Rowland, Abigail Schauble, Brendon Cornett

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

It has been reported that children experience less severe COVID-19 symptoms than adults; however, the literature that supports this idea is evolving. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively characterize hospitalized COVID-19-positive pediatric patients with a focus on the assessment of risk factors for poorer outcomes, mortality, and evaluation of interventions utilized and associated clinical outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a multi-center retrospective chart review of patients 18 years old or younger who were COVID-19 positive and admitted to any US HCA Healthcare Pediatric service line between January 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020. We identified 6081 children across …

Donor-Recipient Specificity And Age-Dependency In Fecal Microbiota Therapy And Probiotic Resolution Of Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Qinglong Wu, Prapaporn Boonma, Shyam Badu, Nazli Yalcinkaya, Sik Yu So, Kevin W Garey, Kent Williams, L Eugene Arnold, Robert J Shulman, Richard Kellermayer, Tor C Savidge

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has proven to be an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) in both adult and pediatric patients. However, as microbiome development is a critical factor in children, it remains unclear whether adult fecal donors can provide age-appropriate functional restoration in pediatric patients. To address this issue, we conducted an integrated systems approach and found that concordant donor strain engraftment, along with metabolite restoration, are associated with FMT outcomes in both adult and pediatric rCDI patients. Although functional restoration after FMT is not strain-specific, specialized metabolic functions are retained in pediatric patients when adult fecal …

Infants Admitted To Us Intensive Care Units For Rsv Infection During The 2022 Seasonal Peak., Natasha Halasa, Laura D. Zambrano, Justin Z. Amarin, Laura S. Stewart, Margaret M. Newhams, Emily R. Levy, Steven L. Shein, Christopher L. Carroll, Julie C. Fitzgerald, Marian G. Michaels, Katherine Bline, Melissa L. Cullimore, Laura Loftis, Vicki L. Montgomery, Asumthia S. Jeyapalan, Pia S. Pannaraj, Adam J. Schwarz, Natalie Z. Cvijanovich, Matt S. Zinter, Aline B. Maddux, Melania M. Bembea, Katherine Irby, Danielle M. Zerr, Joseph D. Kuebler, Christopher J. Babbitt, Mary Glas Gaspers, Ryan A. Nofziger, Michele Kong, Bria M. Coates, Jennifer E. Schuster, Shira J. Gertz, Elizabeth H. Mack, Benjamin R. White, Helen Harvey, Charlotte V. Hobbs, Heda Dapul, Andrew D. Butler, Tamara T. Bradford, Courtney M. Rowan, Kari Wellnitz, Mary Allen Staat, Cassyanne L. Aguiar, Saul R. Hymes, Adrienne G. Randolph, Angela P. Campbell, Rsv-Pic Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and infant hospitalization worldwide.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of RSV-related critical illness in US infants during peak 2022 RSV transmission.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used a public health prospective surveillance registry in 39 pediatric hospitals across 27 US states. Participants were infants admitted for 24 or more hours between October 17 and December 16, 2022, to a unit providing intensive care due to laboratory-confirmed RSV infection.

EXPOSURE: Respiratory syncytial virus.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Data were captured on demographics, …

Notes From The Field: Multipathogen Respiratory Virus Testing Among Primary And Secondary School Students And Staff Members In A Large Metropolitan School District - Missouri, November 2, 2022-April 19, 2023., Jennifer Goldman, Brian R. Lee, Janelle Porter, Anila Deliu, Shannon Tilsworth, Olivia M. Almendares, Sadia Sleweon, Hannah L. Kirking, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer E. Schuster

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Microalbuminuria In Perinatally Hiv-Infected Children And Adolescents In The United States, Roukaya Al Hammoud, Anupama Kalaskar, Gilhen Rodriguez, Gabriela Del Bianco, Cynthia Bell, James R Murphy, Gloria P Heresi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The kidney is a common target for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), making renal disease a common noninfectious complication of HIV. Microalbuminuria is an important marker that can detect early renal damage. Timely detection of microalbuminuria is important to initiate renal management and stop the progression of renal dysfunction in people with HIV. Limited data are available about renal abnormalities in people with perinatal HIV infection. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in a cohort of perinatally HIV-infected children and young adults receiving combination antiretroviral therapy and investigate correlations between microalbuminuria and clinical and …

Infant Isolation And Cohorting For Preventing Or Reducing Transmission Of Healthcare-Associated Infections In Neonatal Units, Morcos Hanna, Rita Shah, Lucila Marquez, Rebecca Barzegar, Adrienne Gordon, Mohan Pammi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Neonatal healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) result in increased morbidity and mortality, as well as increased healthcare costs. Patient isolation measures, i.e. single-room isolation or the cohorting of patients with similar infections, remain a recommended and commonly used practice for preventing horizontal spread of infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). OBJECTIVES: Our primary objective was to assess the effect of single-room isolation or cohorting, or both for preventing transmission of HAIs or colonization with HAI-causing pathogens in newborn infants less than six months of age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our secondary objective was to assess …

Pentoxifylline For Treatment Of Sepsis And Necrotising Enterocolitis In Neonates, Mohan Pammi, Khalid N Haque

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Mortality and morbidity due to neonatal sepsis and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) remain high despite the use of potent antimicrobial agents. Agents that modulate inflammation may improve outcomes. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, is one such agent. This is an update of a review first published in 2003 and updated in 2011 and 2015.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of intravenous PTX as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy on mortality and morbidity in neonates with suspected or confirmed sepsis and neonates with NEC.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and trial registries in July 2022. We …

Tonb-Dependent Receptor Protein Displayed On Spores Of Bacillus Subtilis Stimulates Protective Immune Responses Against Acinetobacter Baumannii, Nor-Aziyah Matrahim, Kathryn Marie Jones, Brian P Keegan, Ulrich Strych, Bin Zhan, Hai-Yen Lee, Sazaly Abubakar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains with limited treatment options has become a significant global health concern. Efforts to develop vaccines against the bacteria have centred on several potential protein targets, including the TonB-dependent receptors (TBDRs). In the present study, TBDRs from A. baumannii were displayed on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spores. The immunogenicity of the recombinant spores was evaluated in orally vaccinated mice. None of the immunized mice demonstrated signs of illness and were observed to be healthy throughout the study. Sera and the intestinal secretions from the recombinant spores-treated mice demonstrated mucosal and humoral antibody responses …

Sars-Cov-2 Serostatus And Covid-19 Illness Characteristics By Variant Time Period In Non-Hospitalized Children And Adolescents, Sarah E Messiah, Michael D Swartz, Rhiana A Abbas, Yashar Talebi, Harold W Kohl, Melissa Valerio-Shewmaker, Stacia M Desantis, Ashraf Yaseen, Steven H Kelder, Jessica A Ross, Lindsay N Padilla, Michael O Gonzalez, Leqing Wu, David Lakey, Jennifer A Shuford, Stephen J Pont, Eric Boerwinkle

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: to describe COVID-19 illness characteristics, risk factors, and SARS-CoV-2 serostatus by variant time period in a large community-based pediatric sample.

DESIGN: Data were collected prospectively over four timepoints between October 2020 and November 2022 from a population-based cohort ages 5 to 19 years old.

SETTING: State of Texas, USA.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants ages 5 to 19 years were recruited from large pediatric healthcare systems, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, urban and rural clinical practices, health insurance providers, and a social media campaign.

EXPOSURE: SARS-CoV-2 infection.

MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S): SARS-CoV-2 antibody status was assessed by the Roche Elecsys

RESULTS: Over half …

Increases In Group A Streptococcal Infections In The Pediatric Population In Houston, Tx, 2022, Aya Aboulhosn, Misu A Sanson, Luis Alberto Vega, Maria G Segura, Lauren M Summer, Marritta Joseph, J Chase Mcneil, Anthony R Flores

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Beginning in October 2022, we observed a substantial increase in the total number of cases of invasive GAS disease (iGAS) in the pediatric population in Houston, TX. Emm12 GAS strains were disproportionately represented but the overall proportion of iGAS infections observed during the current spike was similar to pre-pandemic years.

Incidence Rates Of Medically Attended Covid-19 In Infants Less Than 6 Months Of Age, Isabel Griffin, Stephanie A Irving, Carmen Sofia Arriola, Angela P Campbell, De-Kun Li, Fatimah S Dawood, Caroline Doughty-Skierski, Jeannette R Ferber, Nickolas Ferguson, Louise Hadden, Jillian T Henderson, Mary Juergens, Venkatesh Kancharla, Allison L Naleway, Gabriella Newes-Adeyi, Erin Nicholson, Roxana Odouli, Lawrence Reichle, Mo Sanyang, Kate Woodworth, Flor M Munoz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest infants may be at increased risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relative to older children, but few data exist regarding the incidence of COVID-19 episodes and associated risk factors. We estimate incidence rates and describe characteristics associated with medically attended COVID-19 episodes among infants younger than 6 months of age.

METHODS: We analyzed electronic medical record data from a cohort of infants born March 1, 2020-February 28, 2021. Data from 3 health care delivery systems included demographic characteristics, maternal and infant outpatient visit and hospitalization diagnoses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test …

Association Of Qaca/B And Smr Carriage With Staphylococcus Aureus Survival Following Exposure To Antiseptics In An Ex Vivo Venous Catheter Disinfection Model, J Chase Mcneil, Lauren M Sommer, Jesus G Vallejo, Kristina G Hulten, Sheldon L Kaplan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Many health care centers have reported an association between Staphylococcus aureus isolates bearing efflux pump genes and an elevated MIC/minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and other antiseptics. The significance of these organisms is uncertain, given that their MIC/MBC is typically far lower than the CHG concentration in most commercial preparations. We sought to evaluate the relationship between carriage of the efflux pump genes qacA/B and smr in S. aureus and the efficacy of CHG-based antisepsis in a venous catheter disinfection model. S. aureus isolates with and without smr and/or qacA/B were utilized. The CHG MICs were determined. …

Community-Onset Bacterial Coinfection In Children Critically Ill With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection., Kristin L. Moffitt, Mari M. Nakamura, Cameron C. Young, Margaret M. Newhams, Natasha B. Halasa, J Nelson Reed, Julie C. Fitzgerald, Philip C. Spinella, Vijaya L. Soma, Tracie C. Walker, Laura L. Loftis, Aline B. Maddux, Michele Kong, Courtney M. Rowan, Charlotte V. Hobbs, Jennifer E. Schuster, Becky J. Riggs, Gwenn E. Mclaughlin, Kelly N. Michelson, Mark W. Hall, Christopher J. Babbitt, Natalie Z. Cvijanovich, Matt S. Zinter, Mia Maamari, Adam J. Schwarz, Aalok R. Singh, Heidi R. Flori, Shira J. Gertz, Mary A. Staat, John S. Giuliano, Saul R. Hymes, Katharine N. Clouser, John Mcguire, Christopher L. Carroll, Neal J. Thomas, Emily R. Levy, Adrienne G. Randolph

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Community-onset bacterial coinfection in adults hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is reportedly uncommon, though empiric antibiotic use has been high. However, data regarding empiric antibiotic use and bacterial coinfection in children with critical illness from COVID-19 are scarce.

METHODS: We evaluated children and adolescents agedadmission, we adjudicated whether patients had community-onset bacterial coinfection. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics of those who did and did not (1) receive antibiotics and (2) have bacterial coinfection early in admission. Using Poisson regression models, we assessed factors associated with these outcomes.

RESULTS: Of the 532 patients, 63.3% received empiric antibiotics, but …