Toxoplasmosis in pediatric recipients of heart transplants

Toxoplasma gondii has long been recognized as a potential cause of severe disease in the congenitally infected infant and the immunocompromised host. This report describes three children with toxoplasmosis after heart transplantation and reviews the cases of 18 adult recipients of cardiac transplants (reported in the English-language literature) who developed toxoplasmosis postoperatively. Onset of disease was within the first 6 1/2 months following transplantation. Severity ranged from asymptomatic seroconversion to myocardial infiltration or disseminated neurological disease and death. Only one patient was known to be seropositive for antibody to T. gondii prior to transplantation. Transmission was most likely via the donor organ. Seronegative patients who receive organs from seropositive donors are at high risk for serious disease; prophylactic strategies need to be developed.

Duration of rifampin chemoprophylaxis for contacts of patients infected with Haemophilus influenzae type B

Rifampin is recommended as a prophylactic treatment for intimate contacts of young children who develop invasive infections with Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). A 4-day course of rifampin (20 mg/kg of body weight per day, not to exceed 600 mg as a maximum single daily dose) is 95% effective in eradicating pharyngeal colonization with Hib, thus effectively reducing the risk of both associated patients and recurrent illness in index patients less than 2 years old. This study compares rates of eradication of pharyngeal colonization with Hib for 2- and 4-day courses of rifampin therapy. One hundred sixty-three patients with Hib infection were treated at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh between January 1986 and December 1988; prophylaxis was recommended for 128. Participating families were randomized to receive either 2- or 4-day therapy. Throat swabs were obtained from contacts prior to therapy. Repeat cultures were obtained from colonized contacts 2 days after completing rifampin and again on all contacts 7 to 10 days after completing therapy. Of 68 participating families, 34 received 2-day and 34 received 4-day therapy with rifampin. Twenty-two of 24 colonized contacts in the 2-day group and 17 of 18 in the 4-day group had negative cultures for Hib on follow-up. Two-day therapy with rifampin appears to be as effective as 4-day treatment in the eradication of Hib pharyngeal colonization.

Adenovirus infection in pediatric liver transplant recipients

A retrospective review of adenoviral infection in pediatric liver transplant recipients was done at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh to define its epidemiology and clinical importance. Medical records of patients with adenovirus were reviewed and data collected regarding clinical course, microbiologic studies, biopsy results, immunosuppression, concurrent infections, and outcome. Of 484 liver transplant recipients, 49 had 53 episodes of adenoviral infection. The most common sites of adenoviral infection were the liver, lung, and gastrointestinal tract. Serotypes 1, 2, and 5 were recovered most often; type 5 was commonly associated with hepatitis. Invasive adenoviral infection occurred in 20 children, leading to death in 9. Median time from transplantation until isolation of adenovirus was 25.5 days. This timing suggests either reactivation or donor-associated transmission. Prospective studies using molecular epidemiologic techniques will be helpful in evaluating transmission patterns of adenovirus in this population.

Sinusitis in infants and children

The major clinical problem in considering a diagnosis of sinusitis is differentiating uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection from a secondary bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses that may benefit from antimicrobial therapy. A diagnosis of sinusitis is suggested by presentation with protracted upper respiratory tract symptoms or a cold that is more severe than usual with fever and purulent nasal discharge. Confirmatory tests of sinus disease are transillumination (useful in adolescents if interpretation is confined to the extremes--normal or absent); radiographic findings of opacification, mucous membrane thickening, or an air-fluid level; and sinus aspiration (indicated for severe pain, clinical failures, or complicated disease). When clinical signs and symptoms are accompanied by abnormal radiographic findings, bacteria in high colony count are recovered from the maxillary sinus aspirate in 70% of patients. The common bacterial species recovered from children with acute maxillary sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, and Hemophilus influenzae.

Respiratory syncytial virus infections in pediatric liver transplant recipients

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. The charts of 17 children found to have RSV among 493 children who underwent liver transplantation between February 1985 and February 1991 were reviewed. The median age at diagnosis was 20 months. Median time of diagnosis was 24 days after transplantation. Thirteen patients developed nosocomial infections while convalescing from their transplant. Common symptoms included tachypnea, cough, fever, and congestion. Acute radiographic changes were seen in 12 patients. Two deaths were associated with progressive pulmonary disease and occurred in children with infection early in the postoperative period who were intubated before the onset of symptoms. RSV in children after liver transplantation has a clinical spectrum similar to that in normal children. Early onset of infection (less than 20 days) after transplantation and preexisting lung disease may predict more severe disease.

Safety and immunogenicity of acellular diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and Haemophilus conjugate vaccines given in combination or at separate injection sites

This prospective, double-blind, randomized trial compared the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of acellular diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine-diphtheria toxoid conjugate, given at separate injection sites or at a single site, in 79 children 18 months of age who had received three prior immunizing doses of whole-cell diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine. No significant differences were observed.

Frequency and severity of infections in day care: three-year follow-up

This study was undertaken to compare prospectively the frequency, nature, and severity of infections in children participating in three types of child care arrangements: home care, group care (two to six children), and day care (seven or more children). Children were enrolled at birth and observed for at least 36 months. The families were telephoned every 2 weeks to record on a standardized form the type and severity of illness during the previous interval. Children remaining in their original child care group for 1, 2, or 3 years were compared with regard to the frequency and severity of illness. Each child care group had the highest number of infections in year 2. Children in day care had more respiratory infections during each year than children in home care, but the magnitude of the differences decreased in year 3. When the child care groups were compared for the proportion of children with more than six illness per year or more than 60 days of respiratory illness per year, significant differences observed in years 1 and 2 for day care children compared with home care children were no longer significant in year 3. We conclude that there is a trend toward stabilized or decreased rates of infection, duration of illness, and risk of hospitalization for children remaining in day care for 3 years.

Amoxicillin or myringotomy or both for acute otitis media: results of a randomized clinical trial

A total of 536 infants and children with acute otitis media were randomly assigned to one of six consistent year-long regimens involving the treatment of nonsevere episodes with either amoxicillin or placebo, and severe episodes with either amoxicillin, amoxicillin and myringotomy, or, in children aged 2 years or older, placebo and myringotomy. Nonsevere episodes had more favorable outcomes in subjects assigned to treatment with amoxicillin than with placebo, as measured by the proportions that resulted in initial treatment failure (3.9% vs 7.7%, P = .009) and the proportions in which middle-ear effusion was present at 2 and 6 weeks after onset (46.9% vs 62.5%, P less than .001; and 45.9% vs 51.5%, P = .09, respectively). In subjects whose entry episode was non-severe, those assigned to amoxicillin treatment had less average time with effusion during the succeeding year than those assigned to placebo treatment (36.0% vs 44.4%, P = .004), but recurrence rates of acute otitis media in the two groups were similar. In the 2-year-and-older age group, severe episodes resulted in more initial treatment failures in subjects assigned to receive myringotomy alone than in subjects assigned to receive amoxicillin with, or without, myringotomy (23.5% vs 3.1% vs 4.1%, P = .006). In the study population as a whole, severe episodes in subjects assigned to receive amoxicillin alone, and amoxicillin with myringotomy, had comparable outcomes. It is concluded that children with acute otitis media should routinely be treated with amoxicillin (or an equivalent antimicrobial drug). The data provide no support for the routine use of myringotomy either alone or adjunctively.

Purulent nasal discharge

Purulent nasal discharge is a common presenting symptom associated with infections of the upper respiratory tract. The most likely diagnoses are uncomplicated viral upper respiratory infections and bacterial sinusitis. Allergy may be an underlying problem in children with sinusitis. Less common considerations are adenoiditis, infections caused by B. pertussis, C. diphtheriae or Treponema pallidum or intranasal structural problems.

Upper respiratory tract infections in young children: duration of and frequency of complications

This study was performed to determine the usual duration of community-acquired viral upper respiratory tract infections and the incidence of complications (otitis media/sinusitis) of these respiratory tract infections in infancy and early childhood. Children in various forms of child-care arrangements (home care, group care, and day care) were enrolled at birth and observed for 3 years. Families were telephoned every 2 weeks to record on a standardized form the type and severity of illnesses experienced during the previous interval. Only children remaining in their original child-care group for the entire study period were compared. The mean duration of an upper respiratory tract infection varied between 6.6 days (for 1- to 2-year-old children in home care) and 8.9 days (for children younger than 1 year in day care). The percentage of apparently simple upper respiratory tract infections that lasted more than 15 days ranged from 6.5% (for 1- to 3-year-old children in home care) to 13.1% (for 2- to 3-year-old children in day care). Children in day care were more likely than children in home care to have protracted respiratory symptoms. Of 2741 respiratory tract infections recorded for the 3-year period, 801 (29.2%) were complicated by otitis media. During the first 2 years of life, children in any type of day care were more likely than children in home care to have otitis media as a complication of upper respiratory tract infection. In year 3, the risk of otitis media was similar in all types of child care.

Aspergillosis of the CNS in a pediatric liver transplant recipient: case report and review

A 2-month-old infant who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation at the age of 2 weeks for carbamoyl phosphate synthetase deficiency developed infection of the CNS due to Aspergillus fumigatus. The patient was successfully treated with administration of a combination of antifungal agents (including intraventricular amphotericin B), drainage of the parietal lobe abscess, and cessation of immunosuppression. An intraventricular catheter was used both to obtain ventricular fluid for microbiologic testing and to deliver amphotericin B during nearly 4 months of treatment. We review literature on aspergillosis in solid-organ transplant recipients, especially those in whom the disease involves the CNS, and discuss in particular clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.

Duration of hospitalization in previously well infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection

To describe the typical hospital course of infection in previously well infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, we reviewed the charts of 196 patients with laboratory-proved respiratory syncytial virus infection in the 1987-1988 respiratory disease season. Eighty-seven of the children had been previously well. Their mean duration of hospitalization was 3.4 days. Previously well infants younger than 6 weeks of age experienced significantly longer hospitalizations and more days of supplemental oxygen and were more likely to require intensive care than were older children. Children older than 12 weeks of age were hospitalized for a mean of 2.5 days and did not require intensive care. Oxygen saturation was measured in the emergency room for 67 of the previously well infants; in 42 oxygen saturation was at least 90% whereas in 25 saturation was less than 90% or infants were receiving supplemental oxygen at the time of measurement. Decreased initial oxygen saturation was associated with a prolonged hospitalization (5.3 vs. 3.2 days, P less than 0.01) and with more days of supplemental oxygen (4.4 vs. 1.5 days, P less than 0.01). We conclude that among previously well infants admitted to the hospital with respiratory syncytial virus infection, infants younger than 6 weeks of age are at increased risk for a prolonged and more severe hospital course than are older children.

Subacute sinusitis in children

The bacteriologic characteristics of subacute maxillary sinusitis have not been delineated in the pediatric age group. Forty children between the ages of 2 and 12 years with respiratory symptoms for at least 30 but less than 120 days were evaluated. Nasal discharge and cough were the most prominent symptoms. Common radiographic findings were diffuse opacification and mucosal thickenings. Sinus aspiration was performed on 52 sinuses of 40 children. Bacterial colony counts greater than or equal to 10(4) colony-forming units per milliliter were found in 30 (58%) of 52 sinus aspirates obtained from 26 (65%) children. The bacterial species most commonly recovered were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Branhamella catarrhalis. Twenty-five percent of the maxillary sinus isolates were beta-lactamase producing; however, many of these were recovered from patients who had recently received antimicrobial therapy. Subacute and acute maxillary sinusitis are similar in regard to causative organism, clinical presentation, and radiographic findings.

Use of ultrasound in detection of sinus disease in children

A prospective study utilizing a small, portable A-Mode ultrasound apparatus (Sinus-V 2500 Radionics Medical) was undertaken to screen children with signs and symptoms of sinusitis. Fifty-three children (age 2-16 years) were tested both by ultrasound and compared to standard radiographs of the paranasal sinuses. The sensitivity of the ultrasound to evaluate small, developing paranasal sinuses in children was low (22%). Sinus pathology, particularly mucosal thickening, was difficult to confirm. However, even opacified sinuses were only detectable in 58% of the time. Therefore, portable ultrasound devices to detect sinus disease in children, have limited usefulness for this particular population.

Microbiology of obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent tonsillitis

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the tonsillar surface and core of children with recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis and children with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy was performed. No qualitative difference was found within the two population groups. Haemophilus influenzae and Bacteroides melaninogenicus were the most prevalent beta-lactamase-producing isolates in both groups. Staphylococcus aureus had the highest rate of beta-lactamase production on the tonsillar surface of children with recurrent tonsillitis, while Streptococcus pyogenes was more prevalent in the tonsillar surface cultures of children with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy. The bacterial density was high but not significantly different in both groups of children. The similar microbial composition and density of both groups and the higher rate of S pyogenes recovery may signify a subclinical disease or normal flora in children with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy.

Infections in pediatric orthotopic heart transplant recipients

The infectious complications of 31 orthotopic heart transplants in 27 patients performed between 1982 and 1987 were reviewed. Fifteen patients (56%) are alive 704 to 1829 days posttransplantation. Five of the 27 patients died within the first week posttransplantation of noninfectious causes. Infection occurred in 17 of the remaining 22 patients and was the major cause of death in 3 of the 12 fatalities. There were 10 proved and 4 probable bacterial infections. Three of the 10 proved bacterial infections were cases of sepsis with focal complications (two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one Serratia marcescens) resulting in 2 deaths. The cases of sepsis occurred within 12 days of transplantation. There were 11 viral infections. Cytomegalovirus accounted for 7 of these including 1 fatal and 2 nonfatal episodes of disseminated disease. The mean time of onset of cytomegalovirus infection was 33 days. Two cases of fungal disease were identified at autopsy. One additional patient who received intense immunosuppression because of chronic rejection developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The most frequent site of infection was the lung with early pneumonias caused by Gram-negative bacteria and later episodes by viral (cytomegalovirus or respiratory syncytial virus) agents.

High prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with Sydenham's chorea

The 20-item Leyton Obsessional Inventory--Child Version was completed by children and adolescents who had had Sydenham's chorea (N = 23) or rheumatic fever without chorea (N = 14). The Sydenham's chorea subjects had significantly more obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors and significantly greater interference from these behaviors. Three Sydenham's chorea patients but no rheumatic fever patients had substantial obsessional interference and met criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder when interviewed by telephone. This suggests that obsessive-compulsive disorder, at least in some patients, may be due to basal ganglia dysfunction.

Sinusitis in children

Upper respiratory tract infection and allergic inflammation are recognized as the important risk factors for acute sinusitis, with upper respiratory tract infection being most common. In children with acute or chronic sinusitis, the respiratory symptoms of nasal discharge, nasal congestion and cough are usually prominent. Radiography has traditionally been used to determine the presence or absence of sinus disease. The radiographic findings most diagnostic of bacterial sinusitis are diffuse opacification, mucous membrane thickening or an air-fluid level. The predominant organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Branhamella catarrhalis and nontypable Haemophilus influenzae. Several viruses including adenovirus and parainfluenzae have also been recovered. Clinical improvement is prompt in nearly all children treated with an appropriate antimicrobial agent.

The protective efficacy of Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine

To assess the protective efficacy of the Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine, a case-control study was conducted in Connecticut, Dallas County, and greater Pittsburgh. Seventy-six children 24 to 72 months of age who had H influenzae type b isolated from normally sterile sites from August 1985 through July 1987 were enrolled. For each case two controls, matched by age and place of residence, were randomly selected from the records of all live births in the area. Antecedent receipt of the Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine was ascertained from the records of all physicians and clinics at which the subjects received medical care. Overall, 12% of the cases and 39% of the controls had received the vaccine. The estimate of the protective efficacy of the vaccine was 88% overall (95% confidence interval, 74% to 96%) and 91% (95% confidence interval, 71% to 99%), 92% (95% confidence interval, 76% to 99%), and 81% (95% confidence interval, 45% to 96%) in Connecticut, Dallas County, and greater Pittsburgh, respectively. The estimates were not substantially affected by adjusting with logistic regression for differences between the cases and controls in race and the attendance of group day care. We conclude that the Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine is highly effective in these areas among children who receive the vaccine when they are 24 months of age or older.

Frequency and severity of infections in day care

This study was undertaken to compare prospectively the frequency, nature, and severity of infections experienced by children in three types of child care arrangements: home care, group care (two to six children), and day care (seven or more children). Children were enrolled at birth and observed for 12 to 18 months. At entry there were 159 children in home care, 40 in group care, and 45 in day care. The families were telephoned every 2 weeks to record on a standardized form the type and severity of illnesses experienced during the previous interval. Severe illnesses were defined by high fever, duration exceeding 10 days, or physician visit. Children remaining in their original child care group for at least 1 year were compared with regard to the frequency and severity of illness. Children in group care and day care were more likely than children in home care to experience at least six respiratory infections, more than 60 days of illness, and more than four severe illnesses (P less than 0.01). Similarly, life table analyses showed that children in home care had fewer episodes of infection than did children in day care (P less than 0.01). Although no children were hospitalized because of acute infections during the first year of study, hospitalization for myringotomy and tube placement occurred in 21% of children in day care and 3% of children in home care (P less than 0.01).

Prevalence of non-group-A beta-hemolytic streptococci in childhood pharyngitis

We studied the prevalence of non-group-A beta-hemolytic streptococci (NGAS) in the pharyngeal cultures of symptomatic and asymptomatic children. Throat cultures were obtained by house officers in the Emergency Department at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh to aid in the evaluation of children with symptoms or signs of pharyngitis, or both. A total of 929 throat cultures were read in four discrete periods between July 1982 and February 1984. A control group was composed of 414 asymptomatic children, recruited contemporaneously with study subjects. beta-Hemolytic colonies were evaluated for bacitracin susceptibility and grouped by the Streptex method. The prevalences of NGAS in symptomatic and control children were 6.5% (60/929) and 1.0% (4/414), respectively (P less than .01). Seasonal variation in the recovery of NGAS from symptomatic children was suggested by higher relative and absolute recovery rates of NGAS during warm weather. This study demonstrates an association between NGAS and sporadic pharyngitis in school children but does not establish causality.

Acute rheumatic fever in western Pennsylvania and the tristate area

Acute rheumatic fever is reported to have declined and perhaps be vanishing. Prompted by the occurrence of 17 cases of acute rheumatic fever in an 18-month period in 1985 and 1986, we reviewed the records of 243 children with acute rheumatic fever who were cared for at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh or Mercy Hospital between 1965 and 1986. Acute rheumatic fever was diagnosed using the modified Jones criteria and cases were classified by major criteria as arthritis, arthritis and carditis, carditis alone, carditis and chorea, chorea alone, and arthritis and chorea. Among the 17 recent patients, 59% had carditis, 30% had chorea, and 24% had arthritis alone. The proportion of children who had particular major manifestations was similar in the last two decades and in 1985 to 1986. The recent children with acute rheumatic fever ranged in age from 6 to 13 years with a mean and median age of 10 years. There were 16 white children and one Asian child. Only four children lived in an urban setting. When demographic features of the children were contrasted with those in the previous two decades, a decrease in the proportion of children who lived in urban areas and who were black was noted. Four children had a history of preceding sore throat but only three sought medical care; nine children had no memorable illness and four had either a nonrespiratory illness or a respiratory infection without sore throat. This resurgence of rheumatic fever serves as a reminder that a diligent approach to the diagnosis and therapy of streptococcal infections remains essential.

Branhamella catarrhalis conjunctivitis

Eleven cases of Branhamella catarrhalis conjunctivitis have been reported. In four recent studies that examine the microbial etiology of ophthalmia neonatorum, B catarrhalis was identified only twice in 1,299 cases. However, diagnosis by Gram stain in some and previous antibiotic therapy in others may have resulted in underdiagnosis of B catarrhalis and inaccurate diagnosis as gonococcal ophthalmia.

Outcome in children with enteroviral meningitis during the first year of life

The neurologic, psychologic, language, and academic skills were evaluated and compared in children who had had enteroviral meningitis in infancy and their siblings. The study population consisted of 45 children in whom enteroviral meningitis developed between the ages of 4 days and 12 months. Three died of heart failure caused by viral myocarditis. Thirty-three survivors and 31 siblings were comprehensively evaluated with physical and neurologic examinations; hearing, vision, and achievement tests; and tests of cognitive, perceptual-motor, language, memory, and emotional-behavioral functions. The remaining nine survivors of meningitis and eight of their siblings were assessed by telephone interviews and analysis of school and medical records. None of the survivors had major adverse neurologic sequelae. In addition, they performed as well as their siblings on all tests administered. Our study did not demonstrate either overt or covert impairments of neurologic function or development in survivors of infantile enteroviral meningitis.

Rapid detection of group B streptococci directly from vaginal swabs

Duplicate vaginal swabs were obtained from patients who attended obstetric or gynecologic clinics affiliated with the Magee Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh. One swab was cultured semiquantitatively on 5% sheep blood agar to detect group B streptococci (GBS). The other swab was subjected to a rapid method (25 min) for antigen detection and micronitrous acid exposure to extract the GBS antigen, followed by latex particle agglutination. A total of 464 swabs were evaluated by direct plating. Fifty-two swabs (11.2%) were found to contain GBS. Overall, the rapid method detected 21 of 52, or 40.4%, positive specimens. The sensitivity of the rapid method for identifying the most heavily colonized samples was 85.7%. This method can be used to identify maternity patients who are heavily colonized with GBS and are at high risk of delivering septic infants.

The incubation period necessary for detection of bacteremia in immunocompetent children with fever. Implications for the clinician

The authors determined the time required for blood cultures to be detected as positive for the common bacterial pathogens in immunocompetent infants and children with fever who had no apparent source of infection. Records of the bacteriology laboratory were reviewed retrospectively from 1981 to 1984 for blood cultures that were positive for Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Salmonella species, and group B streptococcus. Blood culturing by a conventional technique and a radiometric method were compared sequentially. Only four (1.5%) of 268 specimens were detected as positive after the second day of incubation; in each case that detection of bacteremia was delayed there was an identified source of infection. For H. influenzae, but not S. pneumoniae, significantly more bacteremias were detected earlier by the radiometric method. Discontinuation of empiric antibiotic therapy in immunocompetent children with suspected bacteremia and without focal infection appears warranted when blood cultures have been sterile for at least 48 hours.

Risk factors for development of bacterial meningitis among children with occult bacteremia

To identify risk factors for the development of bacterial meningitis, we compared clinical characteristics in children with occult bacteremia who did and those who did not subsequently develop bacterial meningitis. The estimates of risk were adjusted for the possible confounding effects of other characteristics by using logistic regression. Of 310 children (median age 15 months) who had occult bacteremia with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Neisseria meningitidis at either Yale-New Haven Hospital or Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, bacterial meningitis subsequently developed in 22 (7%). Compared with the risk associated with occult bacteremia with S. pneumoniae, the adjusted relative risk for bacterial meningitis was 85.6 (P less than 0.0001) and 12.0 (P = 0.0001) for N. meningitidis and H. influenzae type b, respectively. By contrast, the adjusted relative risk associated with a lumbar puncture at the initial visit was only 1.2 (P = 0.78). The development of bacterial meningitis in children with occult bacteremia is strongly associated with the species of bacteria that causes the infection, but not with a lumbar puncture or with other clinical characteristics identifiable at the initial visit.

Haemophilus influenzae type b colonization in household contacts of infected and colonized children enrolled in day care

Strategies for management of children attending day-care facilities after a case of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease are controversial. The success of chemoprophylaxis in preventing subsequent cases has been variable. Failure of rifampin prophylaxis as currently recommended may result from usage limited to direct contacts of the index patient. This prospective study was designed to ascertain the extent of colonization in household contacts of colonized children attending day-care facilities with an index case of H influenzae disease. Outer membrane protein analysis was used to determine similarity between strains isolated from contacts and index patients. Of children attending six day-care facilities, 15% were colonized with subtypes of H influenzae identical with those of their respective index patients, and 7% of children were colonized with different subtypes. Colonization with identical outer membrane protein subtypes in children from day-care homes was more frequent than in the larger day-care centers (91% v 8%, P less than .00001). Within families of children with identical outer membrane protein subtypes, 25% of household members (17% of parents and 44% of siblings) were colonized despite lack of direct contact with the index patients. This colonization rate was comparable to that of household contacts of index patients (26%). Among household contacts of index patients, especially siblings, colonization with H influenzae tended to be lower if the patient attended day care than if the patient did not attend day care (17% v 73%; P = .05 for siblings). We have found that household contacts of colonized day-care children are a reservoir of H influenzae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative effectiveness of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium in acute paranasal sinus infections in children: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

This study compared the relative effectiveness of two antimicrobial preparations, amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium (Augmentin), in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis in children 2 to 16 years of age. Of 171 children with persistent (ten to 30 days' duration) nasal discharge or daytime cough or both, 136 (80%) had abnormal maxillary sinus radiographs. These children were stratified by age and severity of symptoms and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, or placebo. After the exclusion of 28 children with throat cultures positive for group A Streptococcus and 15 who did not complete their medication, the remaining 93 children were evaluated: 30 received amoxicillin, 28 received amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, and 35 received placebo. Clinical assessment was performed at three and ten days. On each occasion, children treated with an antibiotic were more likely to be cured than children receiving placebo (P less than .01 at three days, P less than .05 at ten days). The overall cure rate was 67% for amoxicillin, 64% for amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, and 43% for placebo.

Long-term outcome of group B streptococcal meningitis

Group B Streptococcus is a common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neurologic, psychologic, and academic status of children who had group B streptococcal meningitis and to compare these children with their siblings. Seventy-four children who acquired group B streptococcal meningitis between one day and 6 months of life formed the study population. Survivors were 3 to 18 years old at the time of their follow-up evaluations. Twenty children (27%) died, two were institutionalized, one severely affected child died at age 2 years, 15 were assessed by phone interview, and two were lost to follow-up. Thirty-four children and 21 siblings were comprehensively evaluated with physical and neurologic examinations, hearing tests, and tests of intellectual, perceptual-motor, and behavioral-adaptive functions. Of the total population, nine children (12%) had major neurologic sequelae (spastic quadraplegia, profound mental retardation, hemiparesis, deafness, or blindness). Six children had acute hydrocephalus; two were doing well after shunt placement. In general, those children surviving group B streptococcal meningitis without major sequelae appeared to be functioning normally or comparably to their sibling in intellectual, social, and academic matters.

Oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for prevention of bacterial infection during the induction phase of cancer chemotherapy in children

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) in the prevention of bacterial infections in children with cancer. Sixty-three patients with acute leukemia were studied during the induction phase of chemotherapy; 28 patients with solid tumors who were starting intensive chemotherapy were also enrolled and treated for 2 months. There was no significant difference in the frequency of febrile episodes between the 43 children receiving trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and the 48 receiving placebo. However, when the group of 74 children who experienced granulocytopenia (absolute granulocyte count less than 500/microL) was analyzed separately, significant reductions in the frequencies of confirmed bacteremia (2.6% v 20.0%, P = .02) and febrile episodes (35.9% v 65.7%, P = .01) were observed in the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group. Furthermore, life table analysis showed that children with leukemia receiving trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole had significantly more days without fever and without bacteremia. No benefits from prophylaxis were recognized in the subgroup with solid tumors. Although the frequency of oral thrush was greater (P = .02) in the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group (25.6%) than in the placebo group (6.3%), invasive fungal infection did not occur. Although the mean duration of granulocytopenia was greater among those receiving trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (13.7 v 9.0 days, P = .05), this did not appear to increase the overall risk for bacterial infection. These data suggest that trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole reduces the frequency of bacteremia and febrile episodes in granulocytopenic children undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia.