Pandemic influenza A (H1N1v) infection in pediatric population: a multicenter study in a north-east area of Italy

Hospital-acquired rotavirus acute gastroenteritis in 10 consecutive seasons in Umbria (Italy)

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young (aged <5 years) children. Several studies showed that RVA is one of the main cause of nosocomial gastroenteritis in hospitalized pediatric population worldwide, with an incidence ranging from 8 to 33 cases per 100 hospitalized children. Nosocomial infections, in which AGE symptoms develop at least 2 days after admission, may severely affect children already admitted to hospital for other causes. This study aimed to define the trends of the RVA genotypes through statistical analysis of the data obtained by the rotavirus surveillance in Umbria in 10 consecutive seasons, from 2007-2008 to 2016-2017, with update information on hospital-acquired RVA AGE. During RVA gastroenteritis surveillance in Umbria (Italy) in 2007 to 2017, a total of 741 RVA positive faecal samples were collected from children hospitalized with AGE, and RVA strains were genotyped following standard EuroRotaNet protocols. Of the 741 analyzed samples, 75 (10%) were reported to be hospital-acquired. Comparing the distributions of the RVA genotypes circulating in the community or associated with nosocomial infections, we observed a different distribution of genotypes circulating inside the hospital wards, with respect to those observed in the community except in 2010 to 2011, 2011 to 2012, and 2012 to 2013 when G1P[8], G4P[8] and the novel strain G12P[8] caused a large community- and hospital-acquired outbreak. Of the 741 analyzed samples, 75 (10%) were reported to be hospital-acquired. Comparing the distributions of the RVA genotypes circulating in the community or associated with nosocomial infections, we observed a different distribution of genotypes circulating inside the hospital wards, with respect to those observed in the community except in 2010 to 2011, 2011 to 2012, and 2012 to 2013 when G1P[8], G4P[8], and the novel strain G12P[8] caused a large community- and hospital-acquired outbreak. The information from this study will be useful to implement guidelines for preventing nosocomial RVA AGE, which should include an improved management of the hospitalized patients and an increase in vaccination coverage.

Fulminant Mycoplasma Infection Requiring ECMO in a Previously Healthy Child: Case Report and Review

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia and rarely requires hospitalization. We present a case of a 12-year-old girl who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Eight cases of Mycoplasma infection requiring ECMO reported to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization and 16 cases reported in the literature are summarized with 72.7% survival cumulatively.

Risk factors for serious outcomes associated with influenza illness in high- versus low- and middle-income countries: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Aim

To determine factors associated with a serious outcome (hospital admission or severe outcome: critical care or death) and associated with illness caused by laboratory‐confirmed influenza, with a specific interest in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC).

Method

Databases were searched on 11 March 2016 for reports of influenza and factors associated with mortality or morbidity in humans, with no language restrictions. Pooled risks were estimated using random‐effects models.

Results

Despite the heterogeneity of results across studies, known risk factors for serious disease were associated with both hospital admission and severe outcomes (critical care and/or death). In LMIC, but not in high income countries (HIC), pregnant women, people with HIV/AIDS and children < 5 years old (compared with older children) were at increased risk of a severe outcome. Also, although all patients with neurological conditions were at higher risk of severe outcomes than those without, children were at higher risk than adults and children who lived in a LMIC were at significantly higher risk than those living in HIC. Adults were more likely than children to suffer a severe outcome if they had diabetes or a hematologic condition, were obese or had liver disease. Asthma is a risk factor for hospital admission but not for severe outcomes.

Conclusion

Known risk factors for serious disease remain important predictors of hospital admission and severe outcomes with few differences between HIC and LMIC countries. These differences likely reflect differences in health‐seeking behaviours and health services, but high heterogeneity between studies limits conclusions about the effect size.

Clinical epidemiology and predictors of outcome in children hospitalised with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in 2009: a prospective national study

Background

There are few large-scale, prospective studies of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in children that identify predictors of adverse outcomes.

Objectives

We aimed to examine clinical epidemiology and predictors for adverse outcomes in children hospitalised with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Australia.

Methods

Active hospital surveillance in six tertiary paediatric referral centres (June–September, 2009). All children aged <15 years admitted with laboratory-confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 were studied.

Results

Of 601 children admitted with laboratory-confirmed influenza, 506 (84·2%) had influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. Half (51·0%) of children with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 were previously healthy. Hospital stay was longer in children with pre-existing condition (mean 6·9 versus 4·9 days; P = 0·02) as was paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay (7·0 versus 2·3 days; P = 0·005). Rapid diagnosis decreased both antibiotic use and length of hospital and PICU stay. Fifty (9·9%) children were admitted to a PICU, 30 (5·9%) required mechanical ventilation and 5 (0·9%) died. Laboratory-proven bacterial co-infection and chronic lung disease were significant independent predictors of PICU admission (OR 6·89, 95% CI 3·15–15·06 and OR 3·58, 95% CI 1·41–9·07, respectively) and requirement for ventilation (OR 5·61, 95% CI 2·2–14·28 and OR 5·18, 95% CI 1·8–14·86, respectively). Chronic neurological disease was a predictor of admission to PICU (OR 2·30, 95% CI 1·14–4·61).

Conclusions

During the 2009 pandemic, influenza was a major cause of hospitalisation in tertiary paediatric hospitals. Co-infection and underlying chronic disease increased risk of PICU admission and/or ventilation. Half the children admitted were previously healthy, supporting a role for universal influenza vaccination in children.

Influenza B virus-associated pneumonia in pediatric patients: clinical features, laboratory data, and chest X-ray findings

BACKGROUND

The clinical significance of influenza B is frequently overlooked, and reports on influenza B pneumonia in children are limited. Therefore, the clinical features of associated complications have rarely been reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics in pediatric patients with influenza B virus-associated pneumonia.

METHODS

From January 2009 to February 2012, 389 consecutive patients under 18 years old with influenza B virus infection were enrolled into the study. Thirty-four patients were defined as the pneumonia group by clinical symptoms and chest X-ray (CXR) findings, and 90 patients who had laboratory data and normal CXR findings were recruited to form the nonpneumonia group.

RESULTS

The age of the patients in the pneumonia group was significantly younger (median of 5.3 vs. 6.6 years). The white blood cell count (median of 7.5 vs. 5.7 × 10(9) cells/L) and C-reactive protein level (median of 21.1 vs. 5.7 mg/L) were higher, but the hemoglobin level was lower (median of 12.6 vs. 13.2 g/dL) in the pneumonia group. The CXR findings revealed that 29.4% of patients had alveolar consolidation, 32.4% had interstitial infiltration, and 38.2% had ground glass opacity. Two of four patients with pleural effusion had a positive bacteria culture, and both of them died.

CONCLUSION

Pneumonia should be considered in pediatric patients with influenza B virus infection presenting with younger age, higher white blood cell count, lower hemoglobin, and higher C-reactive protein level. The CXR findings were varied. Patients with pleural effusion and positive bacterial culture may have more severity of clinical outcome.

Clinical Characteristics of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Pediatric Infection in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do: One Institution

Background

This study investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors of the severity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infection in pediatric patients in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do.

Methods

Cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in patients under the age of 18 years, confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, at Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from the last week of August 2009 through the last week of February 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Of the 3,777 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) 2009, 2,200 (58.2%) were male and 1,577 (41.8%) were female. The average age of the patients was 8.4±4.8 years. The total cases peaked during 44th to 46th week. Most of the patients were in the 5- to 9-year-old age group. Oseltamivir was administered to 2,959 (78.3%) of the patients. 221 patients (5.9%) were hospitalized, age an average of 6.7±4.5 years. The average duration of hospitalization was 7.4±5.6 days. One hundred cases (45.2%) had pneumonia. Risk factors for hospitalization included male gender, <2 years of age, and underlying disease. Children with asthma were at very high risk of hospitalization, over 20 times the non-asthmatic children (odds ratio [OR], 21.684; confidence interval [CI], 13.295~39.791). Likewise the children with neurologic deficits faced a 16 times higher risk (OR, 15.738; CI, 7.961~31.111). Ten of the patients (4.5%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and eight (3.6%) required mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion

Of the pediatric patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, most of the patients were in the 5- to 9-year-old age group. Risk factors for hospitalization included male gender, <2 years of age, and underlying disease. The most common complication was pneumonia. The very high risk of severe morbidity in children with asthma or neurologic disease shows the critical importance of targeted vaccine coverage, special awareness and swift care by both guardians and primary care providers.

[The 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection: experience of a paediatric service at a third-level hospital in Lisbon, Portugal]

INTRODUCTION

The 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (i.e., Pandemic Influenza) is an acute, infectious illness caused by the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus. This disease involves respiratory, gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms along with a high incidence occurring at a paediatric age.

OBJECTIVE

To study the epidemiology, approach and complications of Pandemic Influenza in the paediatric population of a third-level hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, between September and December 2009.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of children who had received the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus test by real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were included. The following parameters were analysed: number of tests, days of illness, sex, outcome, age, symptoms, hospitalisation and reason for testing. The distribution and test results were compared with the Pandemic Influenza activity in Portugal. Moreover, among the confirmed cases of infection, the need for hospitalisation, risk factors, severity, chest radiography, treatment and complications were also examined.

RESULTS

A total of 351 tests were performed, on average, 2.6 days after initial symptoms, which included 71.8% outpatients and 30% children younger than three years of age. Overall, 54.4% of the tests were positive for the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus and the main comorbidities were respiratory and cardiovascular in nature. One hundred ninety-one cases were confirmed by laboratory studies, and 13.6% required hospitalisation, which lasted an average of 2.7 days. In 82.2% of the cases, the severity was mild, with fever and cough as the most frequent symptoms at 91.9% and 93.7%, respectively. Therapy with the antiviral drug, oseltamivir, was implemented in 35.6% of the cases. Additionally, oseltamivir was used in twelve infants younger than one year in age, including a one-month-old infant with no observed side effects.

DISCUSSION

The epidemiological data obtained are consistent with the published national and international studies. The scientific information available and the recommendations of the irectorate-General for Health contributed to the uniformity of the approaches and the successful outcome.