Intraperitoneal vancomycin treatment of multifocal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis in a patient on peritoneal dialysis

Pseudoparalysis in an infant with otitis media: an evolving presentation of scapular osteomyelitis

A female infant presented to an Irish hospital with a 4-day history of fever, irritability and reduced oral intake. Initial inflammatory markers were significantly elevated, an erythematous tympanic membrane was noted on examination and an initial diagnosis of acute otitis media was made. By the third hospital day, the infant was noted to be irritable when being lifted up; pseudoparalysis of the right upper limb was observed. A radiograph of the right shoulder was normal; MRI identified acute scapular osteomyelitis with subperiosteal abscess formation. The child underwent 3 washout procedures and received 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy, with full clinical recovery at 3 months. This case highlights the importance of remaining flexible in the context of an evolving presentation and recognising hallmarks of musculoskeletal infection, fever, localised pain and pseudoparalysis. Additionally, we review the literature to highlight clues in diagnosis, treatment and outcome for paediatric acute scapular osteomyelitis.

Anti-infective Medicines Use in Children and Neonates With Pre-existing Kidney Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Background

Dosing recommendations for anti-infective medicines in children with pre-existing kidney dysfunction are derived from adult pharmacokinetics studies and adjusted to kidney function. Due to neonatal/pediatric age and kidney impairment, modifications in renal clearance and drug metabolism make standard anti-infective dosing for children and neonates inappropriate, with a risk of drug toxicity or significant underdosing. The aim of this study was the systematic description of the use of anti-infective medicines in pediatric patients with pre-existing kidney impairment.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane databases were searched on September 21st, 2021. Studies in all languages reporting data on pre-defined outcomes (pharmacokinetics-PK, kidney function, safety and efficacy) regarding the administration of anti-infective drugs in children up to 18 years with pre-existing kidney dysfunction were included.

Results

29 of 1,792 articles were eligible for inclusion. There were 13 case reports, six retrospective studies, nine prospective studies and one randomized controlled trial (RCT), reporting data on 2,168 pediatric patients. The most represented anti-infective class was glycopeptides, with seven studies on vancomycin, followed by carbapenems, with five studies, mostly on meropenem. Antivirals, aminoglycosides and antifungals counted three articles, followed by combined antibiotic therapy, cephalosporins, lipopeptides with two studies, respectively. Penicillins and polymixins counted one study each. Nine studies reported data on patients with a decreased kidney function, while 20 studies included data on kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Twenty-one studies reported data on PK. In 23 studies, clinical outcomes were reported. Clinical cure was achieved in 229/242 patients. There were four cases of underdosing, one case of overdosing and 13 reported deaths.

Conclusion

This is the first systematic review providing evidence of the use of anti-infective medicines in pediatric patients with impaired kidney function or requiring KRT. Dosing size or interval adjustments in pediatric patients with kidney impairment vary according to age, critical illness status, decreased kidney function and dialysis type. Our findings underline the relevance of population PK in clinical practice and the need of developing predictive specific models for critical pediatric patients.

Intraperitoneal vancomycin-induced immune thrombocytopenia

Vancomycin is one of the drugs used in the peritonitis treatment regimen of peritoneal dialysis patients. Intraperitoneal route is generally preferred to provide rapid elimination of infective agents. Systemic toxicities of certain drugs after intraperitoneal administration are not very clear. The same also applies to vancomycin, although it has a considerable amount of systemic absorption after intraperitoneal administration. We herein report a case of severe thrombocytopenia, which was seen during the treatment of a peritonitis attack in a peritoneal dialysis patient. Culture studies revealed methicillin resistant staphylococci as the causative agent and the patient received intraperitoneal vancomycin per sensitivity analysis. Thrombocyte levels dropped abruptly to 3,900/μl after 10 days of vancomycin treatment. Clinical criteria pointed out to vancomycin-related immune thrombocytopenia. Platelet levels did not recover with initial dexamethasone treatment and platelet transfusions. In the meantime, the clinical course was also complicated with intracranial bleeding. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was applied and dexamethasone was switched to high-dose methylprednisolone. This latter treatment generated a response and platelet levels gradually increased to normal levels. The patient could be discharged without any sequelae. There have been two previous intraperitoneal vancomycin-related immune thrombocytopenia cases in the literature. Previous cases were reviewed, and the present case was given in comparison with the previous cases.