Clinical manifestations and molecular epidemiology of necrotizing pneumonia and empyema caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in children in Taiwan

Complicated pneumococcal pneumonia in the era of higher-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, 2001-2022

PURPOSE

To estimate pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) national program impact on pneumococcal complicated pneumonia (PnCP) based on changes in PnCP population-based incidence, PnCP proportion of all-cause complicated pneumonia (or invasive pneumococcal disease), and PnCP serotype distribution.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Global Index Medicus articles (2001-March 2022) reporting laboratory-confirmed PnCP studies were stratified by age group, outcome measure, PCV program period(s) (pre-PCV, transition, and post-PCV), serotype distribution (based on serotyping methodology used), and PCV serotype formulation. Random effect meta-analysis of the total number of serotyped isolates within each study was used to calculate pooled serotype-specific percentages.

RESULTS

Of 1360 publications screened, the 134 studies included from 30 countries differed widely by methodological approaches. Pediatric PnCP incidence tended to decline from pre-PCV to post-PCV periods, as did PnCP as a proportion of all-cause complicated pneumonia from transition to post-PCV periods. Studies describing changes in serotype distribution by PCV program period applied detection methods that varied from pre-PCV period microbiological culture with Quellung serotyping to in the transition and post-PCV periods molecular methods like PCR. Meta-analysis revealed near elimination of pediatric PCV7-serotype PnCP between pre- and post-PCV, while the PCV13nonPCV7 percentage increased from 51.1% pre-PCV period to 76.5% in the transition period, remaining stable post-PCV period. Non-PCV13 serotypes increased slightly from low baseline numbers. Adult data were lacking or inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Although studies were heterogeneous, pediatric PnCP incidence and proportion tended to decline from pre-PCV to post-PCV periods, and PCV13nonPCV7 serotype distribution percentage remained unchanged from transition to post-PCV period. Standardization of PnCP surveillance methods, definitions, and reporting is needed to evaluate accurately PCV program impact.

Unveiling the Unexpected-Role of Unique Pathogens in Necrotizing Cavitary Pneumonia of Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report

Sickle cell disease (SCD), prevalent in African Americans, is associated with numerous complications, including infections and pulmonary manifestations. Necrotizing cavitary pneumonia, a rare but severe complication, poses significant diagnostic challenges in patients with SCD. We report a 27-year-old male with SCD and history of pulmonary infarction from pulmonary embolism who presented with bilateral wrist pain, cough, and chest pain and was found to have necrotizing cavitary pneumonia. Initial imaging revealed significant right upper lobe cavitary consolidation. Despite negative sputum cultures, blood cultures identified Staphylococcus epidermidis and Granulicatella, atypical pathogens in pneumonia cases. Pain crisis treatment and treatment with antibiotics for pneumonia displayed significant improvement in symptoms. Our case highlights the necessity of considering unusual pathogens in SCD patients presenting with pneumonia, particularly those with prior pulmonary complications. Infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in SCD, underscoring the importance of rapid diagnosis and tailored management. Vigilant monitoring of cavitary lesions and prompt recognition of atypical pathogens can mitigate risks of severe pulmonary complications and improve patient outcomes. Additional research is required to delineate the epidemiology of rare infections in SCD and establish effective treatment protocols.

Significance of respiratory virus coinfection in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major causative pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia. Respiratory viral coinfections in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) are not uncommon and cause severe clinical manifestations. This study aims to investigate the impacts of viral coinfection in MPP patients and hopes to offer novel insights for discriminating between MPP and MPP coinfection.

METHODS

This study recruited 748 children hospitalized for MP pneumonia between January 2021 and October 2023. Patients were classified into two groups: MPP coinfected with respiratory virus group and MPP group. All children underwent polymerase chain reaction testing for respiratory pathogens. Baseline clinical features and demographic data were obtained retrospectively through medical records.

RESULTS

The retrospective study included 748 patients, with a viral coinfection rate of 38.75%. Patients in the MPP coinfected with respiratory virus group have a higher disease burden than those in the non-coinfection group. Our findings indicate that patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia co-infected with respiratory viruses had longer hospital stays and prolonged fever post-admission, as well as more severe conditions and a higher incidence of extrapulmonary complications. MPP coinfection was associated with the following factors: patients with extrapulmonary complications of gastroenteritis (OR = 4.474, 95%CI = 1.733-11.554, P = 0.002), longer hospital stay (OR = 1.109, 95%CI = 1.012-1.217, P = 0.027), longer days of fever after admission (OR = 1.215 95%CI = 1.006-1.469, P = 0.043), elevated white blood cell count (OR = 1.332 95%CI = 1.082-1.640, P = 0.007), decreased neutrophil count (OR = 0.768 95%CI = 0.602-0.981, P = 0.035), higher fibrinogen levels (OR = 1.652 95%CI = 1.138-2.398, P = 0.008), and raised lactate dehydrogenase levels (OR = 1.007 95%CI = 1.003-1.011, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We determined the clinical significance of respiratory viral coinfection in children with MPP. Timely identification of MPP coinfection and provision of early and comprehensive therapeutic measures are vital in shortening the disease severity and improving prognosis.

A complex case of necrotizing pneumonia and parapneumonic effusion in a healthy 20-month-old child: Successful management with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and chest tube placement

Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is characterized by destruction of pulmonary tissue, resulting in multiple thin-walled cavities. There are limited reports on NP and parapneumonic effusion cases in children associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal timing for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) following failure of chest tube placement and antibiotic treatment. A healthy 20-month-old child was hospitalized with symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia, progressing to severe NP and parapneumonic effusion. Despite receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics and chest tube placement on the third day of treatment, the condition continued to deteriorate, prompting VATS intervention on the sixth day. The presence of a "split pleural sign" and extensive lung necrosis on chest computed tomography contributed to initial treatment failure. Multidrug resistance P. aeruginosa was identified through nasal trachea aspiration specimens on the eighth day of treatment, leading to an adjustment in antibiotic therapy to high-dose meropenem and amikacin. Subsequently, the patient became afebrile, showed clinical improvement, and was discharged after 35 days of treatment. Through this case, we aim to emphasize an unusual pathogenic bacteria in the context of NP and the need for standardized surgical interventions in pediatric patients with NP.

Clinical Characteristics of Lung Consolidation with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia and Risk Factors for Mycoplasma pneumoniae Necrotizing Pneumonia in Children

INTRODUCTION

Mycoplasma pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia (MPNP) is an uncommon but increasingly recognized severe complication of pneumonia, and the delayed diagnosis and treatment are prone to pulmonary sequelae. The aim of this study is to explore independent risk factors for MPNP in children with lung consolidation.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted on 118 children with MPNP (MPNP group) and 184 children with lung consolidation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) (control group) admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from June 2018 to August 2023. Clinical manifestations and laboratory data were analyzed and the independent risk factors for MPNP in children were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The age of onset, hospitalization days, fever days, proportion of dyspnea, chest pain, complications, and need for fiberoptic bronchoscopic alveolar lavage (FBAL) were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The levels of white blood cells (WBC), platelets, neutrophil percentage (N%), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (Fbg), D-dimer (D-D), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alanine transaminase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT), globulin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH), urea, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), complement component 3, antistreptolysin O (ASO), serum ferritin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the MPNP group were higher than those in the control group. Red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte percentage (L%), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), creatine kinase (CK), uric acid, natrium, chlorine, calcium, and complement C4 in the MPNP group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 83.50 months, fever days ≥ 10.50, ALT ≥ 15.25 U/l, IgM ≥ 1.46 g/l, complement C3 ≥ 1.47 g/l, Fbg ≥ 3.93 g/l, dyspnea and needing FBAL were independent risk factors for MPNP in children.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, fever days, ALT, IgM, complement C3, Fbg, dyspnea, and needing FBAL were independent risk factors for MPNP in children. For children suspected of MPNP, pediatricians should pay close attention to the above indicators, strive for early diagnosis and treatment, and improve prognosis.

Necrotizing Pneumonia in Children: Early Recognition and Management

Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is an uncommon complicated pneumonia with an increasing incidence. Early recognition and timely management can bring excellent outcomes. The diagnosis of NP depends on chest computed tomography, which has radiation damage and may miss the optimal treatment time. The present review aimed to elaborate on the reported predictors for NP. The possible pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and coinfection, clinical manifestations and management were also discussed. Although there is still a long way for these predictors to be used in clinical, it is necessary to investigate early predictors for NP in children.

Necrotizing pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in children during the period of non-systematic use of PCV13 in Catalonia, Spain

BACKGROUND

Some studies have observed an increased incidence of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) in recent years. This might be related to the emergence of non-vaccine S. pneumoniae serotypes after PCV7 introduction although it is suggested that evolutionary factors may have modified the virulence and the interactions of pneumococci. The aim of this study was to clinically and microbiologically define NP in the population served by the three major paediatric hospitals in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain).

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in patients <18 years hospitalized due to invasive pneumococcal disease (January 2012-June 2016). Data of confirmed cases of pneumococcal NP (diagnosed by culture or DNA detection and serotyped) were collected. PCV13 was not systematically administered in Catalonia during the study period, but was available in the private market so the vaccination coverage in children increased from 48.2% to 74.5%.

RESULTS

35 cases of NP were identified. 77.1% of cases were associated with empyema. In the first 4 years, a trend to a decrease in NP incidence was observed (p=0.021), especially in children <5 years (p=0.006). Serotype 3 was responsible for 48.6% of NP cases. Five patients with NP due to serotype 3 were fully vaccinated for their age with PCV13.

CONCLUSIONS

Serotype 3 has a preeminent role in pneumococcal NP and was associated with all PCV13 vaccination failures. Although in our series the incidence does not seem to be increasing, evolution of pneumococcal NP rates should be monitored after inclusion of PCV13 in the systematic calendar.

Differences of clinical features and prognosis between Mycoplasma pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia and non-Mycoplasma pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia in children

Background

In the past few years, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Shi et al. Lancet 390:946–958, 2017) infection has been reported more in China. However, there are few studies on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) (Griffiths et al. Nature 583:615–619, 2020) caused by different pathogens.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed, including 31 children with a clinical diagnosis of NP in the hospital from January 1, 2013 to January 31, 2020. A total of 11 children with MPNP were included in the observation group and the other 20 children with other pathogens were included in the control group. The clinical manifestations, laboratory data, imaging findings, treatments and outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The proportion of dyspnea cases was significantly higher in the non-Mycoplasma pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia (N-MPNP) group than that in the Mycoplasma pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia (MPNP) group (P = 0.02).The LDH level of all patients in the MPNP group was higher than the normal value, with a median value of 805.0 U/L, which was significantly higher than those in the N-MPNP group (414.0 [299.9–540.6] U/L; Z =  − 2.518; P = 0.012). The white blood cells (WBCs) count of the N-MPNP group was 17.8 (11.1–21.7) × 10⁹/L, which was significantly higher than that of the MPNP group (10.2 [6.3–14.1] × 10⁹/L; P < 0.05). The mean time of pulmonary necrosis in the MPNP group was 20.9 ± 6.9 days, which was higher than that of the N-MPNP group (16.8 ± 6.1 days; t = 3.101; P = 0.004). The incidence of pleural effusion in the N-MPNP group (19 patients, 95%) was significantly higher than that in the MPNP group (six patients, 54.55%) (P = 0.013). Among them, two patients received bronchoscopy lavage at a maximum four times, and the cases of plastic bronchitis were seen only in the MPNP group (3 cases; P = 0.037).The length of stay was 18 (10–22) days in the MPNP group and 23.5 (13.5–47) days in the N-MPNP group and no significant difference was observed between the two groups (Z =  − 1.923, P =  − 0.055).

Conclusions

MP infection is the most common infection in children with NP in the Suzhou area. There is no gender and age difference between MPNP and N-MPNP, but the bacterial infection was mainly observed in the N-MPNP group.

Children in the N-MPNP group have more severe clinical symptoms, were more prone to shortness of breath, had a longer hospital stay, and had earlier imaging manifestations of necrosis, whereas children in the MPNP group were more likely to have plastic bronchitis. The level of WBC and LDH and the nature of pleural effusion can be used to identify MPNP and N-MPNP to some extent.

The prognosis of MPNP was better than that of N-MPNP. There were no death cases. Pleural thickening, pulmonary fibrosis, and bronchiectasis were the most common sequelae. Compared with N-MPNP, the recovery time of lung imaging in MPNP was shorter.

C-Reactive Protein to rule out complicated pneumococcal disease manifestations; a retrospective cohort study in adults with pneumococcal bacteraemia

OBJECTIVES

To explore the negative predictive value (NPV) of CRP at admission to exclude complicated disease manifestations.

METHODS

A Dutch multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted between 01-01-2012 and 30-06-2020. Adults with positive blood cultures for S. pneumoniae, whose CRP was measured at admission, and whose infection focus was known, were included. Electronic medical and microbiological records were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 832 bacteremic patients enrolled, 30% had complicated manifestations of pneumococcal disease. Most frequent were pleural effusion (8.9%), pleural empyema (5.4%), and meningitis (7.5%). Compared to solitary pneumonia, patients with pleural effusion and empyema presented with higher CRP levels. Although low CRP did not exclude complicated disease in general, a CRP level < 114 mg/L at admission could reliably exclude empyema among adult pneumonia patients with an NPV of 93% and a specificity of 26%. However, in cases where pleural fluid was present, CRP levels were mostly above 114 mg/L, such that suspicion of empyema could only be ruled out in a minority of cases (10%).

CONCLUSIONS

Complicated manifestations are prevalent in adult pneumococcal bacteraemia. Low blood CRP levels can reliably exclude the development of pulmonary empyema. Practical value may be largest in settings without thoracic imaging at hand.

Persistent pulmonary air leak in the pediatric intensive care unit: Characteristics and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Persistent air leak (PAL) complicates various lung pathologies in children. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of children hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with PAL are not well described. We aimed to elucidate the course of disease among PICU hospitalized children with PAL.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of all PICU-admitted children aged 0-18 years diagnosed with pneumothorax complicated by PAL, between January 2005 and February 2020 was conducted at a tertiary center. PAL was defined as a continuous air leak of more than 48 h.

RESULTS

PAL complicated the course of 4.8% (38/788) of children hospitalized in the PICU with pneumothorax. Two were excluded due to missing data. Of 36 children included, PAL was secondary to bacterial pneumonia in 56%, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 31%, lung surgery in 11%, and spontaneous pneumothorax in 3%. Compared to non-ARDS causes, children with ARDS required more drains (median, range: 4, 3-11 vs. 2, 1-7; p < .001) and mechanical ventilation (100% vs. 12%; p < .001), and had a higher mortality (64% vs. 0%; p < .001). All children with bacterial pneumonia survived to discharge, with a median air leak duration of 14 days (range 3-72 days). Most of which (90%) were managed conservatively, by continuous chest drainage.

CONCLUSION

Bacterial pneumonia was the leading cause of PAL in this cohort. PAL secondary to ARDS was associated with a worse outcome. In contrast, non-ARDS PAL was successfully managed conservatively, in most cases.

Factors associated with complicated pneumonia in children

INTRODUCTION

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity in children, despite advances in health care and anti-pneumococcal vaccine. Complicated pneumonia accounts for a significant burden with prolonged hospitalization. Finding risk factors for complicated pneumonia may help in tailoring management. We aimed to identify risk factors for developing complicated pneumonia and need for intervention.

METHODS

A retrospective single tertiary center study. Children admitted with a diagnosis of CAP and/or complicated pneumonia (parapneumonic effusion, empyema, necrotizing pneumonia, and lung abscess) on January 2001-March 2020 were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected using MDclone, a data acquisition tool. Risk factors for complicated pneumonia (on admission or during hospitalization) and risk for intervention were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 6778 children with pneumonia were included; 323 arrived at the Emergency Department with complicated pneumonia while 232 developed a complication during hospitalization. Risk factors for complicated pneumonia (on admission or during hospitalization) were Arab ethnicity, cardiac disease, increased age, and CRP and low O₂ Sat (OR = 2.236 p < .001, OR = 4.376 p < .001, OR = 1.131 p < .001, OR = 1.065 p < .001 and OR = 0.959 p = .029, respectively). O₂ Sat was lower, while fever and CRP were higher in patients with complicated pneumonia requiring intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying children at risk for complicated pneumonia may help in decision-making in the Emergency Department and during hospitalization. The increased risk of the Arab population for complicated pneumonia requires further understanding. Addressing the underlying socioeconomic and ethnic health inequities may help to decrease the disease burden in this population.

Severe Necrotizing Pneumonia in Children: A Challenge to Intensive Care Specialist

OBJECTIVE

Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is recently recognized as a complication of pneumonia. The data on NP are scant from developing world and we aimed to describe the characteristic features of NP in our children.

STUDY DESIGN

Single center retrospective cohort analysis.

PATIENT SELECTION

Institutional database of children treated for pneumonia between September 2014 and May 2018 was searched to identify children with NP.

METHODS

The demographic characteristics, laboratory results, and clinical information were recorded for patients selected as NP and analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 10 patients (3.7%) of NP were identified out of 272 patients with pneumonia. Median age was 3 years (range: 3 months to 12years). All cases had severe respiratory distress and 70% required mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. The causative pathogens were identified in 6/10 children (60%) with Staphylococcus aureus being most common (4/10). Pleural effusion and pneumothorax were seen in six cases. Four cases had bilateral pleural effusion and three had bilateral pneumothorax. Intercostal drainage (ICD) was placed in 70% and bilateral ICD was placed in 40% cases. Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) developed in two cases and one had bilateral BPF. Median [inter quartile range] ICD days and hospital stay were 9 (6-14) and 13.5 (7.5-18.5) days, respectively. Mean (±SD) total antibiotic (in hospital plus outpatient) days were 28.8 ± 9.6 days. Four cases had airway hemorrhage and in three cases this was massive and fatal.

CONCLUSION

NP is a relatively rare but severe complication of pneumonia distinct from pediatric acute respiratory distress, pleural effusion and empyema. Airway hemorrhage is the most fatal complication.

Necrotizing pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in children during the period of non-systematic use of PCV13 in Catalonia, Spain

BACKGROUND

Some studies have observed an increased incidence of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) in recent years. This might be related to the emergence of non-vaccine S. pneumoniae serotypes after PCV7 introduction although it is suggested that evolutionary factors may have modified the virulence and the interactions of pneumococci. The aim of this study was to clinically and microbiologically define NP in the population served by the three major paediatric hospitals in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain).

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in patients <18 years hospitalized due to invasive pneumococcal disease (January 2012-June 2016). Data of confirmed cases of pneumococcal NP (diagnosed by culture or DNA detection and serotyped) were collected. PCV13 was not systematically administered in Catalonia during the study period, but was available in the private market so the vaccination coverage in children increased from 48.2% to 74.5%.

RESULTS

35 cases of NP were identified. 77.1% of cases were associated with empyema. In the first 4 years, a trend to a decrease in NP incidence was observed (p=0.021), especially in children <5 years (p=0.006). Serotype 3 was responsible for 48.6% of NP cases. Five patients with NP due to serotype 3 were fully vaccinated for their age with PCV13.

CONCLUSIONS

Serotype 3 has a preeminent role in pneumococcal NP and was associated with all PCV13 vaccination failures. Although in our series the incidence does not seem to be increasing, evolution of pneumococcal NP rates should be monitored after inclusion of PCV13 in the systematic calendar.

Characteristics and etiology of hospitalized pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in Taiwan

Background/purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the pathogens and to estimate the incidence of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Taiwan.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted at eight medical centers from November 2010 to September 2013. Children aged 6 weeks to 18 years who met the radiologic criteria for pneumonia were enrolled. To detect classical and atypical bacteria and viruses, blood and pleural fluids were cultured, and respiratory specimens were examined by multiple conventional and molecular methods.

Results

At least one potential pathogen was identified in 705 (68.3%) cases of 1032 children enrolled, including bacteria in 420 (40.7%) cases, virus in 180 (17.4%) cases, and mixed viral-bacterial infection in 105 (10.2%) cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae (31.6%) was the most common pathogen, followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (22.6%). Adenovirus (5.9%) was the most common virus. RSV was significantly associated with children aged under 2 years, S. pneumoniae in children aged between 2 and 5 years, and M. pneumoniae in children aged >5 years. The annual incidence rate of hospitalization for CAP was highest in children aged 2–5 years (229.7 per 100,000). From 2011 to 2012, significant reduction in hospitalization rates pertained in children under 5 years of age, in pneumonia caused by pneumococcus, adenovirus or co-infections and complicated pneumonia.

Conclusion

CAP related pathogens have changed after increased conjugated pneumococcal vaccination rates. This study described the latest incidences and trends of CAP pathogens, which are crucial for prompt delivery of appropriate therapy.

[Lung abscess: Diagnosis and management]

Lung abscesses are necrotic cavitary lesions of the lung parenchyma. They are usually caused by anaerobic bacteria or mixed flora and typically occur after aspiration. Primary lung abscesses occur in previously healthy patients with no underlying medical disorders and are usually solitary. Secondary lung abscesses occur in patients with underlying or predisposing conditions and may be multiple. The initial diagnosis is usually made by chest radiography showing a lung cavity with an air-fluid level. Typically, the cavity wall is thick and irregular, and a surrounding pulmonary infiltrate is often present. The differential diagnosis of pulmonary cavitation is wide, including different types of possible infections, neoplasia and malformations of the bronchial tree. Management is usually based on prolonged antibiotic treatment. Failure of conservative management, manifested by the persistence of sepsis and/or other abscess complications, may necessitate drainage with invasive techniques (percutaneous, endoscopic or surgical) or open surgical removal of the lung lesion in patients with good performance status and sufficient respiratory reserve.

Predictive risk factors for complicated pneumonia in Malaysian children

AIM

To investigate baseline characteristics associated with complicated community-acquired pneumonia (CAPc) in Malaysian children. CAPc, such as pleural effusion and/or empyema, is on the rise, especially in Southeast Asian children, and the reasons for this are unknown.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on all children aged 2-16 years who were admitted to the University Malaya Medical Centre with community-acquired pneumonia between 2012 and 2014.

RESULTS

In this study, of the 343 children, 58 (17%) developed CAPc. Chinese ethnicity (P < 0.001), reduced breastfeeding duration (P = 0.003), not receiving outpatient antibiotic (P < 0.001) and exposure to parental smoking (P < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for CAPc. Markedly increased respiratory rate (P = 0.021) and thrombocytosis (P < 0.001) were noted as the clinical parameters for CAPc.

CONCLUSION

This study identifies some modifiable risk to reduce the burden of pneumonia complications.

Predicting Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion in Community Acquired Pneumonia: Hospital Based Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPE)/empyema in patients of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) by using clinical and simple laboratory variables like hemoglobin (Hb), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin (SA) levels and total leukocyte counts (TLC).

METHODS

This prospective case-control study was conducted after institutional ethical approval. Subjects between ages of 2-59 mo with World Health Organization (WHO) defined CAP with written, informed parental consent were included. Cases had CAP with CPE/empyema diagnosed by pleurocentesis. Controls had severe CAP without significant pleural collection on chest X-ray (CXR). Patients with congenital and chronic diseases/infections and possible immune deficiency were excluded. Variables with univariate association with case-control status were considered as potential predictors. Final prediction model was developed by Forward Stepwise Logistic Regression (FSLR). Adjusted odd's ratios (Adj OR) were smoothened into nearest whole numbers to develop KGMU-CPE score.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 17, 30 cases (66.6% males, age 38.7 + 14.9 mo) and 118 controls (78% males, age 17.8 + 16.9 mo) were included. In FSLR, predictors of CPE/empyema were ibuprofen intake (adj OR 6.8; 95%CI: 1.07-43.6), infective focus elsewhere (adj OR 28.2; 95%CI: 1.4-563.1), hypoalbuminemia <3.1 g/dL (adj OR 6.9; 95%CI: 1.22-39.3), serum CRP >20 mg/dL (adj OR 59; 95%CI: 1.86-1874.7), Hb <10 g/dL (adj OR 21.1; 95%CI: 2.8-158.1) and TLC >10,000 (adj OR 37; 95%CI: 5.7-239.8) and these six variables formed KGMU-CPE Score with a minimum score of 0 and maximum of 25. KGMU-CPE score area under the ROC curve was 0.97 and cut- off 15.55 had sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 94% for predicting CPE/empyema.

CONCLUSIONS

Using simple clinical and laboratory parameters it is possible to predict CAP with CPE/empyema. Use of ibuprofen is to be avoided in CAP as it associated with CPE. KGMU-CPE score had good diagnostic accuracy and needs external validation.

Necrotizing pneumonia caused by refractory Mycoplasma pneumonia pneumonia in children

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical features of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) caused by refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP).

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was carried out in patients with NP caused by RMPP who were admitted to our hospital from January 2008 to December 2015, and the clinical manifestations, laboratory data, imaging performances, hospital courses and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients with NP caused by RMPP were collected, with a median age of 5.1 (4.0-7.9) years. The mean duration of fever and hospital stay was 21.0 ± 8.9 and 19.9 ± 9.9 days, respectively. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and interferon-gamma were elevated. Meanwhile, the pleural fluid cell count, LDH and protein were also increased. 80.0% of the patients had pleural effusion; and a high incidence of lobar atelectasis and pulmonary consolidation was found the patients. The mean duration from the onset of symptoms to the discovery of necrotic lesions was 21.0 ± 6.9 days. 80.0% of the patients were administrated corticosteroids, and bronchoalveolar lavage was extracted separately from all patients. Of the 20 patients who presented with pleural effusion, 11 underwent thoracocentesis alone and 2 underwent chest drainage. All patients received prolonged courses of antibiotics (32.2 ± 8.7 days). All patients were dischaged home and recovered without surgical intervention; and chest lesions were resolved or only minimal residual fibrotic changes were residual within 3.0 (2.0-6.0) months.

CONCLUSIONS

Necrotizing pneumonia caused by RMPP is severe, however, self-limiting and reversible. Good outcomes can be achieved with appropriate management.

Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies New Host Genomic Susceptibility Factors in Empyema Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in Children: A Pilot Study

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death amongst infectious diseases. Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for about 25% of pneumonia cases worldwide, and it is a major cause of childhood mortality. We carried out a whole exome sequencing (WES) study in eight patients with complicated cases of pneumococcal pneumonia (empyema). An initial assessment of statistical association of WES variation with pneumonia was carried out using data from the 1000 Genomes Project (1000G) for the Iberian Peninsula (IBS) as reference controls. Pseudo-replication statistical analyses were carried out using different European control groups. Association tests pointed to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs201967957 (gene MEIS1; chromosome 2; p-value_IBS = 3.71 × 10^-13) and rs576099063 (gene TSPAN15; chromosome 10; p-value_IBS = 2.36 × 10^-8) as the best candidate variants associated to pneumococcal pneumonia. A burden gene test of pathogenicity signaled four genes, namely, OR9G9, MUC6, MUC3A and APOB, which carry significantly increased pathogenic variation when compared to controls. By analyzing various transcriptomic data repositories, we found strong supportive evidence for the role of MEIS1, TSPAN15 and APOBR (encoding the receptor of the APOB protein) in pneumonia in mouse and human models. Furthermore, the association of the olfactory receptor gene OR9G9 has recently been related to some viral infectious diseases, while the role of mucin genes (MUC6 and MUC3A), encoding mucin glycoproteins, are well-known factors related to chronic obstructive airway disease. WES emerges as a promising technique to disentangle the genetic basis of host genome susceptibility to infectious respiratory diseases.

Predictive value of Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen activation for Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and severity in pediatric lobar pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Most cases of complicated pneumonia in children are caused by pneumococcal infections. Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TA) is present on erythrocytes, platelets and glomeruli, and it can be activated during pneumococcal infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of TA activation for pneumococcal infection and association with the severity of complicated pneumonia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with lobar pneumonia were routinely tested for TA at the Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed their charts and data including age, sex, etiology of infection, chest tube insertion or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, length of hospital stay, TA activation, white blood cell count and level of C reactive protein.

RESULTS

A total of 142 children with lobar pneumonia were enrolled, including 35 with empyema, 31 with effusion, 11 with necrotizing pneumonia and four with lung abscess. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most commonly identified pathogen. Twenty-two patients (15.4%) had activated TA, all of whom were infected with S. pneumoniae. TA activation had 100% specificity and 100% positive predictive value for pneumococcal infection. In the multivariate analysis in lobar pneumonia, TA activation (OR, 15.8; 95% CI, 3.0-83.5; p = 0.001), duration of fever before admission (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5; p = 0.013) and initial CRP level (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.1; p = 0.004) were independent predictors of empyema.

CONCLUSIONS

TA activation is a specific marker for pneumococcal pneumonia and might indicate higher risk for complicated pneumonia.

[Early predictors of necrotizing pneumonia in children]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the early predictors of necrotizing pneumonia in children.

METHODS

The clinical data of 43 children with necrotizing pneumonia and 83 children with lobar pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed. Sex, age, the number of days with fever, laboratory examination results, and bronchoscopic findings were compared between the two groups. The multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the early predictors of necrotizing pneumonia.

RESULTS

The necrotizing pneumonia group had a higher percentage of girls than the lobar pneumonia group (P<0.05). Compared with the lobar pneumonia group, the necrotizing pneumonia group had a larger number of days with fever, a higher peripheral blood white blood cell count (WBC), a higher percentage of neutrophils (NE%), and higher serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), albumin (Alb), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P<0.05). The necrotizing pneumonia group also had higher percentages of children with a large amount of sputum bolt under a bronchoscope which needed to be removed with biopsy forceps and children with rice-water-like bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P<0.05). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that being a female, the presence of sputum bolt under a bronchoscope which needed to be removed with biopsy forceps, the number of days with fever, WBC, hs-CRP, and LDH were independent predictors of necrotizing pneumonia. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cut-off values of the latter 4 predictors were 18.5 d, 15.1×10(9)/L, 121.5 mg/L, and 353.5 U/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased WBC (≥15.1×10(9)/L), increased hs-CRP (≥121.5 mg/L), increased serum LDH (≥353.5 U/L), and the presence of sputum bolt under a bronchoscope which needs to be removed with biopsy forceps and rice-water-like bronchoalveolar lavage fluid may be the early predictors of necrotizing pneumonia in children.

Necrotizing Pneumonia and Its Complications in Children

Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is an emerging complication of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. This study aimed at the evaluation of etiology, clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of NP. The institutional database of children with CAP treated between April 2008 and July 2013 was searched to identify children with NP. Then, data on the NP characteristics were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. We found that NP constituted 32/882 (3.7%) of all CAPs. The median age of children with NP was 4 (range 1-10) years. The causative pathogens were identified in 12/32 children (37.5%) with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common (6/32). All but one patient developed complications: parapneumonic effusion (PPE), pleural empyema or bronchopleural fistula (BPF), which required prompt local treatment. The median duration of hospital stay and antibiotic treatment was 26 (IQR 21-30) and 28 (IQR 22.5-32.5) days, respectively. Despite severe course of the disease no deaths occurred. A follow-up visit after 6 months revealed that none of the patients presented with any signs and symptoms which could be related to earlier pneumonia. Chest radiographs showed complete or almost complete resolution of pulmonary and pleural lesions in all patients. We conclude that necrotizing pneumonia is a relatively rare but severe form of CAP that is almost always complicated by PPE/empyema and/or BPF. It can be successfully treated with antibiotics and pleural drainage without major surgical intervention.

Pneumococcal disease and use of pneumococcal vaccines in Taiwan

The use of pneumococcal vaccine plays an important role for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). However, introducing the pneumococcal vaccine into the national immunization program (NIP) is complex and costly. The strategy of progressively integrating the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into the NIP in Taiwan provides valuable experience for policy makers. The 7-valent PCV (PCV7) was first available in Taiwan in late 2005. PCV7 was first provided free to children with underlying diseases, those in vulnerable socioeconomic status, and those with inadequate health care resources. The catch-up immunization program with the 13-valent PCV was launched in 2013 and the national pneumococcal immunization program was implemented in 2015. Children aged 2-5 years had the highest incidence of IPD among pediatric population in Taiwan. Although the incidence of IPD caused by PCV7 serotypes has declined, the overall incidence of IPD remained high in the context of PCV7 use in the private sector. A surge of IPD caused by serotype 19A occurred, accounting for 53.6% of IPD cases among children aged ≤ 5 years in 2011-2012. After the implementation of the national pneumococcal immunization program, serogroup 15 has become the leading serogroup for IPD in children. Continued surveillance is necessary to monitor the serotype epidemiology in Taiwan.

Identification of PblB mediating galactose-specific adhesion in a successful Streptococcus pneumoniae clone

The pneumococcal genome is variable and there are minimal data on the influence of the accessory genome on phenotype. Pneumococcal serotype 14 sequence type (ST) 46 had been the most prevalent clone causing pneumonia in children in Taiwan. A microarray was constructed using the genomic DNA of a clinical strain (NTUH-P15) of serotype 14 ST46. Using DNA hybridization, genomic variations in NTUH-P15 were compared to those of 3 control strains. Microarray analysis identified 7 genomic regions that had significant increases in hybridization signals in the NTUH-P15 strain compared to control strains. One of these regions encoded PblB, a phage-encoded virulence factor implicated (in Streptococcus mitis) in infective endocarditis. The isogenic pblB mutant decreased adherence to A549 human lung epithelial cell compared to wild-type NTUH-P15 strain (P = 0.01). Complementation with pblB restored the adherence. PblB is predicted to contain a galactose-binding domain-like region. Preincubation of NTUH-P15 with D-galactose resulted in decreases of adherence to A549 cell in a dose-dependent manner. Challenge of mice with NTUH-P15, isogenic pblB mutant and pblB complementation strains determined that PblB was required for bacterial persistence in the nasopharynx and lung. PblB, as an adhesin mediating the galactose-specific adhesion activity of pneumococci, promote pneumococcal clonal success.

Do Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Represent Good Value for Money in a Lower-Middle Income Country? A Cost-Utility Analysis in the Philippines

Objectives

The objective of this study is to assess the value for money of introducing pneumococcal conjugate vaccines as part of the immunization program in a lower-middle income country, the Philippines, which is not eligible for GAVI support and lower vaccine prices. It also includes the newest clinical evidence evaluating the efficacy of PCV10, which is lacking in other previous studies.

Methods

A cost-utility analysis was conducted. A Markov simulation model was constructed to examine the costs and consequences of PCV10 and PCV13 against the current scenario of no PCV vaccination for a lifetime horizon. A health system perspective was employed to explore different funding schemes, which include universal or partial vaccination coverage subsidized by the government. Results were presented as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in Philippine peso (Php) per QALY gained (1 USD = 44.20 Php). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the impact of parameter uncertainty.

Results

With universal vaccination at a cost per dose of Php 624 for PCV10 and Php 700 for PCV13, both PCVs are cost-effective compared to no vaccination given the ceiling threshold of Php 120,000 per QALY gained, yielding ICERs of Php 68,182 and Php 54,510 for PCV10 and PCV13, respectively. Partial vaccination of 25% of the birth cohort resulted in significantly higher ICER values (Php 112,640 for PCV10 and Php 84,654 for PCV13) due to loss of herd protection. The budget impact analysis reveals that universal vaccination would cost Php 3.87 billion to 4.34 billion per annual, or 1.6 to 1.8 times the budget of the current national vaccination program.

Conclusion

The inclusion of PCV in the national immunization program is recommended. PCV13 achieved better value for money compared to PCV10. However, the affordability and sustainability of PCV implementation over the long-term should be considered by decision makers.

Value of Lung Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis and Outcome Prediction of Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Necrotizing Change

Background

Lung ultrasonography has been advocated in diagnosing pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. However, its function in identifying necrotizing pneumonia, a complication, has not been explored. This study investigated the value of lung ultrasonography in diagnosing pediatric necrotizing pneumonia and its role in predicting clinical outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 236 children with community-acquired pneumonia who were evaluated using lung ultrasonography within 2–3 days after admission. The ultrasonographic features assessed included lung perfusion, the presence of hypoechoic lesions, and the amount of pleural effusion. Chest computed tomography was also performed in 96 patients as clinically indicated. Detailed records of clinical information were obtained.

Results

Our results showed a high correlation between the degree of impaired perfusion in ultrasonography and the severity of necrosis in computed tomography (r = 0.704). The degree of impaired perfusion can favorably be used to predict massive necrosis in computed tomography (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.908). The characteristics of impaired perfusion and hypoechoic lesions in ultrasonography were associated with an increased risk of pneumatocele formation (odds ratio (OR), 10.11; 95% CI, 2.95–34.64) and the subsequent requirement for surgical lung resection (OR, 8.28; 95% CI, 1.86–36.93). Furthermore, a longer hospital stay would be expected if moderate-to-massive pleural effusion was observed in addition to impaired perfusion in ultrasonography (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.15–8.29).

Conclusion

Lung ultrasonography is favorably correlated with chest computed tomography in the diagnosis of necrotizing pneumonia, especially regarding massive necrosis of the lung. Because it is a simple and reliable imaging tool that is valuable in predicting clinical outcomes, we suggest that ultrasonography be applied as a surrogate for computed tomography for the early detection of severe necrotizing pneumonia in children.

Increase in fitness of Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with the severity of necrotizing pneumonia

BACKGROUND

The incidence of necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia has increased during the past 2 decades. We hypothesized that increased pneumococcal load or augmented inflammatory cytokine production might lead to destructive pneumococcal lung disease.

METHODS

This study enrolled prospectively 0- to 18-year-old children with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia with pleural effusion admitted to 6 medical centers from March 2010 to April 2012. Children were diagnosed with pneumococcal empyema if the pleural fluid tested positive for quantitative pneumococcal (lytA) detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Pneumococcal empyema cases were further divided into 4 groups according to necrosis severity: (0) nonnecrosis, (1) mild necrosis, (2) cavitation and (3) bronchopleural fistula. Nasopharyngeal and pleural pneumococcal load, as well as levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), Th1-(IL-2, IFN-γ), Th2-(IL-4, IL-10) and Th17-cytokines (IL-17), in the pleural fluid was measured.

RESULTS

Serotypes 19A and 3 accounted for 69.4% and 12.5%, respectively, of 72 cases of pneumococcal empyema. Pleural pneumococcal load was significantly higher in serotypes 19A and 3 infection than in the other strains causing infection (P = 0.006). There was a correlation between nasopharyngeal and pleural pneumococcal load (ρ = 0.35; P = 0.05). In multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis, pleural pneumococcal load (adjusted odds ratio: 1.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-3.06) and IL-8 (adjusted odds ratio: 2.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-5.75) were independent factors associated with the severity of lung necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Evolution of Streptococcus pneumoniae toward increased fitness in their interaction with host and exaggerated IL-8 expression may be responsible for the increase of necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia.

Necrotising pneumonia in children

Necrotising pneumonia remains an uncommon complication of pneumonia in children but its incidence is increasing. Pneumococcal infection is the predominant cause in children but Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) staphylococcal infection are also important causes of severe necrotising pneumonia. Clinical features of necrotic pneumonia are similar to those of an uncomplicated pneumonia except that the patient is clinically much more unwell and has usually failed to respond adequately to what would normally be considered as appropriate antibiotics. Pleural involvement is frequent. Initial management is similar to that for non-complicated pneumonia with careful attention to fluid balance and adequate analgesia required. Some patients will need intensive care support, particularly those with PVL-positive staphylococcal infection. Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given intravenously, with the exact choice of agent informed by local resistance patterns. Pleural drainage is often required. Despite the severity of the illness, outcomes remain excellent with the majority of children making a full recovery.

The increasing incidence of empyema

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to highlight recent changes concerning the incidence of empyema. In this article we have focused on community-acquired empyema

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of empyema seems to have been increasing both in children and adults worldwide in the past decades, mainly in healthy young adults and in older patients. The bacteriology of pleural infection is changing as well. In children, the most common microorganism that causes empyema continues to be Streptococcus pneumoniae. Interestingly, the widespread use of the seven valent conjugate vaccine has produced a replacement phenomenon with the emergence of some pneumococcal serotypes such as serotypes 1, 3 and 19A, which have a higher propensity to cause empyema. Moreover increases in the incidence of empyema due to Staphylococcus aureus have also been observed. In adults, increases in the rate of empyema due to Streptococcus milleri group and S. aureus have been reported.

SUMMARY

Continued surveillance in the epidemiology of empyema is needed. Progress in new strategies of prevention, such as a new generation of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines and protein-based vaccines, could become an important step in the control of this important complication.

On the nature of pleural involvement in necrotizing pneumonia: a report of two cases of life threatening late complications

Suppurative complications of pneumonia such as empyema, lung abscess, pyopneumothorax, and necrotizing pneumonia (NP) are uncommon in children. Over the last decade an increasing incidence of NP has been reported. Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to be the predominant causative organism of NP, and while sporadic cases were reported prior to routine administration of heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine, a marked increase in NP appears to relate to replacement pneumococcal strains. Pleural involvement is almost universal in NP, and the course of pleural disease often determines its duration and outcome, particularly as it relates to complication of bronchopleural fistula. Cavities are formed in NP within the lung parenchyma and in the pleural space as the fibrosing pleural process organizes. The similarity of the radiologic appearance of parenchymal and pleural space cavities often makes the differentiation of pneumatocele versus residua of loculated pneumothorax challenging. The prevailing perception from most reports on childhood NP is of a favorable outcome with conservative approach. We report two pediatric cases with pneumonia who presented with prolonged fever despite antibiotic treatment, eventually diagnosed with NP. After stabilization on prolonged IV antibiotics, and weeks after discharge, they presented with unexpected acute respiratory failure due to a life-threatening tension air collection. In this article we discuss the nature of NP, its typical presentation, benign course and outcome, albeit its potential to cause serious late complications in the light of our recent experiences. Increasing awareness of such complications will result in more careful follow-up and in providing appropriate recommendations to parents of patients recovering from NP.

Pneumococcal empyema and complicated pneumonias: global trends in incidence, prevalence, and serotype epidemiology

This review evaluates the serotype epidemiology of complicated pneumococcal pneumonia (CPP) during the period 1990–2012. PubMed and EMBASE were searched using the terms “empyema”, “complicated pneumonia”, “pleural infection”, “necrotizing pneumonia”, “pleural effusion”, “parapneumonic effusion”, “pneumatocele”, or “lung abscess”; “pneumococcal” or “Streptococcus pneumoniae”; and “serotype” for studies on the epidemiology of complicated pneumonias published from January 1, 1990 to October 1, 2013. Studies with data on incidence and serotypes were included; reviews, case reports, and conference abstracts were excluded. Of 152 papers, 84 fitted the inclusion criteria. A few pneumococcal serotypes were predominant causes of CPP, particularly serotypes 1, 19A, 3, 14, and 7F. CPP was a more common manifestation of pneumococcal disease among older (>2 years old) than younger children. The data support increases in both reported incidence rates and proportions of CPP in children and adults during the period 1990–2012; specific increases varied by geographic region. The proportions of serotype 3 and, particularly in Asia, serotype 19A CPP have increased, whereas most studies show declines in serotype 14. Serotype 1 has been a predominant cause of CPP since 1990, while antibiotic resistance was infrequent among serotype 1 isolates. The reported incidence and proportions of CPP among pneumonia cases steadily increased from 1990 to 2012. Several factors might account for these increases, including enhanced disease detection due to a higher index of suspicion, more sophisticated diagnostic assays, and changes in the prevalence of serotypes with capacity to invade the pleural space that were not targeted by the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7).

Severe bacterial infection in patients with heterotaxy syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of sepsis in patients with heterotaxy syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

From our institutional database, we identified patients with heterotaxy syndrome and other complex congenital heart disease (CHD) born between 2001 and 2011. Severe bacterial infection was defined as sepsis with positive culture result or infection with abscess formation.

RESULTS

We enrolled 95 patients with heterotaxy syndrome (88 with right atrial isomerism and 7 with left atrial isomerism) and 142 patients with complex CHD. With 1026 person-years follow-up, the 5-year survival was 52% and 65.7% in heterotaxy and complex CHD groups, respectively (P = .239). Community-acquired severe bacterial infection occurred only in heterotaxy syndrome (13 episodes in 10 patients, 3 of whom had spleen noted at imaging study) with 2- and 5 years cumulative severe bacterial infection rate of 9.6% and 14.5%, respectively. The overall mortality rate of those with community-acquired severe bacterial infection was 31%. Pneumococcus and Citrobacter freundii were the most common pathogens. Nosocomial severe bacterial infection occurred in 33.3% of all patients and 12.5% of all procedures. The rates (0.59 and 0.52/100 hospitalization days in heterotaxy and complex CHD group) and the pathogens of nosocomial severe bacterial infection were similar between heterotaxy and complex CHD groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with heterotaxy syndrome are at high risk for community-acquired severe bacterial infection and also have high mortality rate whether the spleen is present or not. The risk of nosocomial severe bacterial infection seems similar to that of patients with other complex CHD.

Cost-utility analysis of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: protection at what price in the Thai context?

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the costs and outcomes of offering the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in Thailand compared to the current situation of no PCV vaccination.

METHODS

Two vaccination schedules were considered: two-dose primary series plus a booster dose (2+1) and three-dose primary series plus a booster dose (3+1). A cost-utility analysis was conducted using a societal perspective. A Markov simulation model was used to estimate the relevant costs and health outcomes for a lifetime horizon. Costs were collected and values were calculated for the year 2010. The results were reported as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in Thai Baht (THB) per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained, with future costs and outcomes being discounted at 3% per annum. One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation were performed to assess parameter uncertainty.

RESULTS

Under the base case-scenario of 2+1 dose schedule and a five-year protection, without indirect vaccine effects, the ICER for PCV10 and PCV13 were THB 1,368,072 and THB 1,490,305 per QALY gained, respectively. With indirect vaccine effects, the ICER of PCV10 was THB 519,399, and for PCV13 was THB 527,378. The model was sensitive to discount rate, the change in duration of vaccine protection and the incidence of pneumonia for all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

At current prices, PCV10 and PCV13 are not cost-effective in Thailand. Inclusion of indirect vaccine effects substantially reduced the ICERs for both vaccines, but did not result in cost effectiveness.

Spatial variation in the risk of hospitalization with childhood pneumonia and empyema in the North of England

The aim of this study was to investigate spatial variation in risk of hospitalization in childhood pneumonia and empyema in the North of England and associated risk factors. Data on childhood (0-14 years) hospital admissions with a diagnosis pneumonia or empyema were linked to postcode districts. Bayesian conditional autoregressive models were used to evaluate spatial variation and the relevance of specific spatial covariates in an area-based study using postcode as the areal unit. There was a sixfold variation in the risk of hospitalization due to pneumonia across the study region. Variation in risk was associated with material deprivation, Child Well-being Index (CWI) health domain score, number of children requiring local authority support, and distance to hospital. No significant spatial variation in risk for empyema was found.

Etiology of empyema thoracis and parapneumonic pleural effusion in Taiwanese children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age

We analyzed blood and pleural fluid samples from 89 Taiwanese children with empyema thoracis and parapneumonic pleural effusion. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the major pathogen, identified in 12 children by bacterial culture and 53 children by molecular techniques, and serotype 19A was the dominant serotype. Also noteworthy was the detection of pneumococcal serotype 1, Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in these children.

Pediatric parapneumonic empyema: risk factors, clinical characteristics, microbiology, and management

OBJECTIVE

Pediatric empyema is increasing in incidence and continues to be a source of morbidity in children. Our objective was to determine the risk factors, clinical characteristics, distribution of the pathogens, and outcome of pediatric empyema in 2 Israeli pediatric medical centers.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study on children aged 2 months to 18 years hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the pre-Prevnar era (2000-2009). Demographic data, presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging studies, laboratory results, hospital course, medical treatment, and surgical interventions were reviewed from medical records and computerized microbiology databases.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-one children comprised of 47 (24.9%) with parapneumonic empyema and 144(75.4%) without empyema. The symptoms and course of the children with empyema were substantially worse compared with patients without empyema. The most prevalent pathogen was Streptococcus pneumonia. The most common pneumococcal serotype was serotype 5, and 86% of the recovered S. pneumoniae were susceptible to penicillin. Children with empyema most commonly presented with prolonged fever, dyspnea (51%), and chest pain (17%). Forty-five children with empyema (98%) required a chest tube, fibrinolysis, or decortication with video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS). Hospitalization stay was similar for children with empyema who underwent VATS and those who were treated conventionally.

CONCLUSIONS

The most prevalent pathogen in children with CAP with and without empyema is S. pneumoniae. Children with empyema experience significantly more morbidity than did patients with CAP alone. In our experience, VATS apparently does not shorten the duration of hospitalization compared with conventional treatment. Immunization may affect the incidence of pediatric empyema and should be studied prospectively.

Comparison of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by serotype 19A and non-19A pneumococci in children: more empyema in serotype 19A invasive pneumococcal disease

OBJECTIVE

To delineate whether serotype 19A invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) comprised significantly more necrotizing pneumonia and empyema in children, we compared the clinical characteristics between serotype 19A and non-19A IPD.

METHODS

Between January 2007 and December 2011, cases of children with IPD who were treated at the National Taiwan University Hospital were reviewed. Patients were assigned to the 19A group or the non-19A group based on the serotype. Their demographic data, clinical course, laboratory results, diagnosis, complications, and sequelae were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 27 patients were included in the 19A group and 29 patients in the non-19A group. Compared with non-19A group, serotype 19A tended to cause IPD in patients without major underlying diseases (p = 0.015). Bacteremia without pneumonia or meningitis was found more frequently in the non-19A group (45% vs. 11%, p = 0.01), and pneumonia with or without empyema occurred significantly more frequently in the 19A group (89% vs. 52%, p = 0.006). Patients in the19A group had longer duration of fever (12 vs. 3 days, p = 0.01), and required more intensive care (78% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) and more video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (74% vs. 28%, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In comparison with the other serotypes, serotype 19A IPD has significantly more empyema which required more video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and more intensive care.

Immunogenicity and safety of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children previously immunized with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

BACKGROUND

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has proven highly effective in preventing diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; however, in some regions, serotype coverage is limited. A recently licensed 13-valent PCV (PCV13) was developed to provide additional coverage globally. Children previously vaccinated with PCV7 could benefit from supplemental vaccination with PCV13 to provide protection against the 6 additional serotypes in PCV13. This open-label study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of administering PCV13 to healthy children previously vaccinated with PCV7.

METHODS

Children between 15 months and 2 years of age (group 1) received 2 doses of PCV13; children between 2 and 5 years (group 2) received 1 dose. Antibodies (immunoglobulin G) against the polysaccharide antigens in PCV13 were measured before vaccination and 1 month after the final dose. Solicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs) were collected for 7 days postvaccination. Unsolicited and serious AEs were collected throughout.

RESULTS

A total of 284 subjects (group 1: n = 109; group 2: n = 175) had blood available for testing. Antipneumococcal immunoglobulin G geometric mean fold rises ranged from 2- to 19-fold for the PCV7 serotypes and from approximately 2- to 124-fold for the 6 additional serotypes. Additionally, postvaccination titers in excess of 0.35 μg/mL, the serologic correlate of immunity against pneumococcus for children, occurred in ≥98% of subjects in both groups for 12 of the 13 serotypes in PCV13. Slightly lower percentage of subjects, 94.5% and 92% of subjects in group 1 and group 2, respectively, had postvaccine titers for serotype 3 exceeding the serologic correlate of immunity. Reactogenicity was typically mild and self-limited, and unsolicited AEs reported were generally consistent with common childhood illnesses.

CONCLUSION

PCV13 was safe and immunogenic when administered to children who had previously received PCV7, and can be used for supplemental vaccination to provide additional protection against the 6 additional serotypes.

The incidence of necrotizing changes in adults with pneumococcal pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing pneumonia is generally considered a rare complication of pneumococcal infection in adults. We systematically studied the incidence of necrotizing changes in adult patients with pneumococcal pneumonia and examined the severity of infection, role of causative serotypes, and association with bacteremia.

METHODS

We used a database of all pneumococcal infections identified at our medical center between 2000 and 2010. Original readings of chest X-rays (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) were noted. Images were then independently reevaluated by 2 radiologists. The severity of disease at admission was assessed using SMART-COP and Pneumonia Outcomes Research Team (PORT) scoring systems.

RESULTS

In 351 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia, necrosis was reported in no (0%) original CXR readings and in 6 of 136 (4.4%) CTs. With rereading, 8 of 351 (2.3%) CXR and 15 of 136 (11.0%) CT had necrotizing changes. Overall, these changes were identified in 23 of 351 (6.6%) patients. The incidence of bacteremia and the admitting SMART-COP and PORT scores were similar in patients with and without necrosis (P = 1.00, P = .32, and P = .54, respectively). Type 3 pneumococcus was more commonly isolated from patients with necrosis than from patients without necrosis (P = .05), but 10 other serotypes were also implicated in 16 cases for which the organism was available for typing.

CONCLUSIONS

Necrotizing changes in the lungs were seen in 6.6% of a large series of adults with pneumococcal pneumonia but were often overlooked on initial readings. Patients with necrosis were not more likely to have bacteremia or more severe disease. Type 3 pneumococcus was the most commonly identified serotype.

Sustained high prevalence of pneumococcal serotype 1 in paediatric parapneumonic empyema in southern Spain from 2005 to 2009

The epidemiology and microbiological characteristics of paediatric parapneumonic empyema (PPE) before the introduction of the new generation of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines (10-valent and 13-valent) are described. All patients <14 years old admitted to a tertiary paediatric hospital with a diagnosis of PPE were prospectively enrolled from January 2005 to December 2009. Pneumococcal serotyping of culture-negative pleural fluid samples was performed using a multiplex real-time PCR assay. Overall, 219 patients had PPE. Incidence rates for PPE remained stable during the study period with a not significant increase in 2009 compared with 2005 (p 0.13), and were temporally associated with higher circulation of pandemic influenza A H1N1 during the last quarter in our population (p 0.001). Pneumococci were detected in 72% of culture-positive and 79% of culture-negative samples. Serotypes were determined in 104 PPE cases. Serotype 1 was the most prevalent serotype identified (42%) followed by serotypes 7F (20%), 3 (16%), 19A (8%) and 5 (7%). Serotype distribution remained similar during all time periods. Pneumococcal serotype 1 remained the most common cause of PPE during the 5-year study. The new generation of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines offers potential serotype coverage of 73% (10-valent) and 99% (13-valent) in the population studied suffering from PPE. Continuous epidemiological and molecular studies are paramount to monitor the impact of pneumococcal vaccines on the epidemiology of PPE.

Parapneumonic empyema in children before the era of pneumococcal vaccination

BACKGROUND

During the past two decades, the incidence of paediatric empyema has increased in many countries.

PURPOSE

The aim of this retrospective hospital chart review was to evaluate the incidence, aetiology and clinical and laboratory characteristics of parapneumonic empyema in children.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients were admitted to a university hospital from the area with a population of 84,000 children in 1991-2009.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of parapneumonic empyema was 1.6/100,000 children in 1991-1998, 0.2/100,000 children in 1999-2005 and 2.7/100,000 children in 2006-2009. Bacterial aetiology was identified in 52% of the cases, and pneumococcus caused 45% of the cases with bacterial aetiology detected. The clinical and laboratory findings in children with and without pleural effusion on admission were surprisingly similar. The development of empyema in hospital during antibiotic therapy was associated with persistent fever and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) >200 mg/L for 48 h after admission.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of parapneumonic empyema in children fluctuated but in the long run, increased in 1991-2009. Pneumococcus caused half of the cases with bacterial diagnosis available. Since 2010, pneumococcal vaccination has belonged to the general vaccination programme, and the effect on the incidence of empyema remains to be seen.

Necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia with bronchopleural fistula among children in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Severe necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia may progress to the development of bronchopleural fistula (BPF). The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical courses and identify risk factors for the development of bronchopleural fistula in children with pneumococcal pneumonia. Histopathologic features of children receiving surgical resections of the lung because of BPF were analyzed to explore the pathogenesis of destructive lung disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

METHODS

A total of 112 cases of culture-proven pneumococcal pneumonia were identified between January 2001 and March 2010 at Chang Gung Children's Hospital. The medical charts of all cases of culture-proven pneumococcal pneumonia were reviewed.

RESULTS

Pneumococcal pneumonia in 18 children (18/112, 16.1%) was complicated by BPF. As compared with children without BPF, children with BPF had significantly lower white blood cell counts at admission (P = 0.03) and significantly longer durations of fever and hospitalization (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that acute respiratory failure (odds ratio = 8.9; 95% confidence interval = 2.6-30.9; P = 0.001) and serotype 19A infection (odds ratio = 5.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-22.1; P = 0.03) were risk factors for the development of BPF. Histopathologic analyses were available for 12 children who underwent surgical resections of the lung. Coagulative necrosis with pulmonary infarction was found in 11 of the 12 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Serotype 19A was strongly associated with BPF. Vaccines containing this serotype will be important for prevention.

Laboratory-based, 2-year surveillance of pediatric parapneumonic pneumococcal empyema following heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine universal vaccination in Madrid

BACKGROUND

In October 2006, the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was included in the Madrid vaccination calendar, warranting serotype (St) surveillances in pneumococcal pediatric parapneumonic empyema (PPE).

METHODS

A prospective 2-year (May 2007-April 2009) laboratory-confirmed PPE surveillance was performed in 22 hospitals. All isolates (for serotyping) and culture-negative pleural fluids were sent to the reference laboratory for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 138 PPEs. Pneumococcal etiology was confirmed in 100 cases: 38 by culture, 62 by PCR. Mean age was 44.64 ± 26.64 months; 51.0% were male. Similar pneumococcal PPE distribution was found by age: 21% to 28% in <24, ≥24-<36, ≥36-<60, and ≥60 months. PPE-associated Sts were St 1 (38%), St 5 (15%), St 19A (11%), St 7F (9%), St 3 (8%), and others (19%). St 1 was the most common in >36 months, with similar rates to St 19A in <24 months (≈30%). In ≥24-≤36 months, St 3 (21.7%), St 1 and St 5 (17.4% each) were the most frequent. No differences in demographic data, vaccination status, length of hospitalization, and outcome were found between culture-negative (PCR positive) and culture-positive PPE patients, with significantly higher percentages of St 1 and St 5 in culture-positive PPEs. Total rates of St 1 (38%), St 5 (15%), and St 7F (9%) would have been over-represented considering only positive-culture PPEs (n = 38), by increasing to 52.6% (St 1), 23.7% (St 5), and 10.5% (St 7F). The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine would cover 84.0% of Sts causing PPEs.

CONCLUSIONS

PCR is essential for determining the specific etiology of PPE.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Taiwan before and after the introduction of a conjugate vaccine

BACKGROUND

The heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced in Taiwan in October 2005. To evaluate the effect of the vaccination, we conducted an active, prospective, large-scale, long-term, and multicenter study to assess the prevalence of nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in Taiwanese children.

METHODS

This study was performed at three tertiary teaching hospitals in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. Questionnaires provided demographic, family/household, and medical history data. Pneumococcal isolates were tested for their susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents and serotypes. In addition, influenza virus and Staphylococcus aureus were recovered from nasopharyngeal and nasal swabs, respectively.

RESULTS

Between July 2005 and July 2008, 857 pneumococcal strains were recovered from a total of 6057 children aged >2 months to 5 years (carriage rate, 14.1%). Carriage rates differed geographically and varied with subject age. In a multivariate analysis, having at least one sibling, attendance at day-care centers, a history of otitis media, and history of upper respiratory tract infection in the previous 2 weeks were each associated with a higher risk of pneumococcal colonization of the nasopharynx. Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization was inversely associated with nasopharyngeal carriage of pneumococcus (p=0.000; odds ratio [OR]: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.39-0.58). Daycare attendance was the only risk factor for carriage of penicillin non-susceptible S. pneumoniae (OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.22-4.88). Although vaccination rates rose from 2005 to 2008, no concomitant decrease in S. pneumoniae carriage occurred. The rate of penicillin resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates was 92.8% (using the meningitis criteria). The prevalence of cefotaxime resistance (21.6%) was higher than that of penicillin (6.9%; non-meningitis criteria). Slightly more than half (57.4%) of the isolates belonged to strains covered by the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine when both vaccine and vaccine-related serotypes were included.

CONCLUSIONS

Although vaccination rates rose from 2005 to 2008, no concomitant decrease occurred in S. pneumoniae carriage. Interaction between S. aureus and S. pneumoniae may influence vaccination efficacy. These findings provide baseline data to further compare pneumococcal carriage rates and antibiotic resistance patterns in Taiwanese children as vaccination rates continue to increase.