The Risk of Serious Bacterial Infection in Febrile Infants 0-90 Days of Life With a Respiratory Viral Infection

PERFORMANCE OF VIRAL MULTIPLEX POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION TESTING IN YOUNG FEBRILE INFANTS AT A PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Febrile infants 8-60 days of age underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) testing in the emergency department. The virus-positive rate was 61.3%, with serious bacterial infections (SBIs) at 12.5%, invasive bacterial infections (IBIs) at 3.6%, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) at 8.9%. mPCR-positive cases demonstrated lower frequencies of SBIs, IBIs and UTIs; however, the number of IBIs was limited.

Impact of viral testing on duration of antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation of febrile infants

AIM

To assess the duration of antimicrobial treatment; hospital length of stay; and invasive bacterial infections rates in hospitalised infants following the adoption of a management guideline.

METHODS

Faculty agreed to a standard of 24 h of antibiotic treatment for well-appearing febrile infants with proven viral infection and no growth on bacterial cultures. The outcomes were the duration of hospitalisation and antibiotic treatment of febrile infants less than 8 weeks of age who have enterovirus, parechovirus, respiratory viruses detected. We monitored re-admissions and missed invasive infections.

RESULTS

Of the total 1696 infants studied, the median antibiotic treatment duration decreased from 31.5 to 24.8 h in virus-infected infants ≤21 days of age (p = 0.02) and from 26 to 19.7 h in infants 22-56 days of age (p < 0.001). The decrease was less in infants not infected with a virus. No patient had an invasive infection identified after discharge.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of our care standard resulted in reduction in antibiotic treatment duration without known delayed diagnosis of bacterial infections. Infants without a proven viral aetiology may need further study to inform management decisions.

The frequency of serious bacterial infection in febrile infants less than 90 days infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viral pathogens

BACKGROUND

The primary aim of this study was to compare the groups, SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative patients, in terms of the frequency of SBI. The SARS-CoV-2-positive group was compared with the other-RVPs-positive group as a secondary evaluation in terms of serious bacterial infection (SBI).

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted at four university hospitals from March 2020 to December 2021. Patients under 90 days old, with a measured fever of ≥ 38 °C, who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and had blood and urine cultures taken, were included in the study. The patient groups who tested positive and negative for SARS-CoV-2 were compared regarding clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and the frequency of serious bacterial infections. As a secondary analysis, among patients tested for other respiratory viruses, the SARS-CoV-2-positive group and other respiratory virus-positive groups were compared in terms of the frequency of SBI.

RESULTS

A total of 208 patients met the inclusion criteria. Two distinct comparisons were conducted among the patients included in the study: the first between the SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative patient groups, and the second between the SARS-CoV-2-positive and other RVPs-positive patient groups. In the first comparison, fifty-five patients were SARS-CoV-2-positive and 153 were SARS-CoV-2-negative. The rate of SBI in the SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was 16.4%, whereas that in the SARS-CoV-2-negative patients was 47.1%. The laboratory parameters for infection suspicion were significantly lower in the SARS-CoV-2-positive group than the SARS-CoV-2-negative group. In the second comparison, 90 patients who were tested for both SARS-CoV-2 and other RVPs were evaluated. The mean WBC, ANC and CRP levels were significantly lower in the SARS-CoV-2-positive group than the other RVPs-positive group, however, there was no significant difference in the mean ALC, NLR and PCT levels and the frequency of SBI between the SARS-CoV-2-positive and other RVPs-positive patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that febrile infants younger than 90 days with SARS-CoV-2 have lower rates of SBI than patients without SARS-CoV-2. These data are consistent with previous studies describing lower risks of SBI in febrile infants with RVPs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Respiratory viral detection in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of young febrile infants

Background

Respiratory viral infections are common in febrile infants ≤90 days. However, the detection of viruses other than enterovirus in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of young infants is not well defined. We sought to quantify the occurrence of respiratory viruses in the blood and CSF of febrile infants ≤90 days.

Methods

We conducted a nested cohort study examining plasma and CSF samples from febrile infants 15-90 days via rtPCR. The samples were tested for respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, enterovirus, parechovirus, adenovirus, bocavirus). Clinical and laboratory data were also collected to determine the presence of serious bacterial infections (SBI).

Results

Twenty-four percent (30 of 126) of infants had plasma/CSF specimens positive for a respiratory virus. Enterovirus and parechovirus were the most commonly detected respiratory viruses. Viral positivity was highest in plasma samples at 25% (27 of 107) compared with CSF samples at 15% (nine of 62). SBIs (specifically urinary tract infections) were less common in infants with a sample positive for a respiratory virus compared to those without a virus detected (3% vs. 26%, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Our findings support the use of molecular diagnostics to include the identification of parechovirus in addition to enterovirus in febrile infants ≤90 days. Additionally, these data support the utilization of blood specimens to diagnose enterovirus and parechovirus infections in febrile infants ≤90 days.

Bacterial coinfection in young febrile infants with SARS-CoV-2 infection

We aimed to assess the prevalence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in febrile infants < 90 days of age with SARS-CoV-2 infection versus SARS-CoV-2-negative febrile infants. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric emergency department between March 2020 and October 2022. Febrile infants < 90 days of age who underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing were included. SBIs were defined as urinary tract infection (UTI), bacteremia, and/or bacterial meningitis; bacteremia and bacterial meningitis were considered invasive bacterial infections (IBIs). SBIs rates were compared between SARS-CoV-2-positive and negative infants and stratified by age. We included 779 infants: 221 (28.4%) SARS-CoV-2-positive and 558 (71.6%) SARS-CoV-2-negative. The SBI rate in the SARS-CoV-2-positive group was 5.9% vs 22.9% in the SARS-CoV-2-negative group (p < 0.001; relative risk (RR) 0.26; [95% CI 0.15-0.44]); the most common infections were UTI (5.4% vs 22.0%; p < 0.001). The IBI rate was 0.5% in the SARS-CoV-2-positive group vs. 3.2% in the negative group (p = 0.024; RR 0.14 [95% CI 0.02-1.04]). There were no cases of bacterial meningitis in the positive infants. SARS-CoV-2-positive infants > 28 days of age had a decreased likelihood of SBI (RR 0.22 [95% CI 0.11-0.43]), with no cases of IBI identified.     Conclusions: Febrile infants < 90 days of age with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at significantly lower risk of SBIs than those who are SARS-CoV-2-negative. Nevertheless, the rate of UTI remains considerable in SARS-CoV-2-positive infants. SARS-CoV-2 detection may be relevant in considering IBI risk for well-appearing febrile infants 29-89 days of age. What is Known: • Febrile infants with laboratory-confirmed viral infections have a significantly lower risk of serious bacterial infections when compared to those without them. Data focusing on very young febrile infants with a SARS-CoV-2 infection is still limited. What is New: • Young febrile infants with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at significantly lower risk of serious bacterial infections than those who are SARS-CoV-2-negative. Nevertheless, the rate of urinary tract infection remains considerable. SARS-CoV-2 detection may be relevant in considering invasive bacterial infection risk for well-appearing febrile infants 29-89 days of age.

The Differences Between RSV and no RSV Acute Bronchiolitis in Hospitalized Infants: A Cross-Sectional Study

To identify the differences between the RSV and non-RSV bronchiolitis in hospitalized infants in a Greek tertiary pediatric unit and the possible risk factors related to severe forms of the illness. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional data analysis by reviewing medical records of patients that were hospitalized for acute bronchiolitis from 2012 to 2019. The patients with RSV bronchiolitis were found to require antibiotic treatment, IV fluids, adrenaline, and hypertonic saline inhalations more frequently than the non-RSV patients. They also required prolonged hospitalization, especially those that were admitted to PICU, and received oxygen therapy for longer periods. We searched risk factors for severe forms of the disease according to the need for admission to PICU, the supplemental oxygen and the extended length of hospital stay, concurrently. The patients with RSV bronchiolitis developed more severe illness in comparison with patients with bronchiolitis due to other respiratory viruses.

Frequency of serious bacterial infections in young infants with and without viral respiratory infections

BACKGROUND

The goal of our investigation was to describe the incidence of serious bacterial infection (SBI, defined as bacteremia, urinary tract infection (UTI), or meningitis) in young infants with and without documented viral pathogens.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study (1/2016-12/2017) in 3 emergency departments (EDs). Previously healthy 0-60-day-old infants were included if at least respiratory viral testing and a blood culture was obtained. The frequency of SBI, the primary outcome, was compared among infants with/without respiratory viral infections using the Pearson Chi-square test (or Fisher's Exact Test) and unadjusted odds ratios (OR).

RESULTS

The median age of the 597-infant cohort was 32 days (interquartile range: 20-45 days); 42% were female. Eighty-three percent were well appearing in the ED and 72% were admitted. ED triage vitals commonly revealed tachypnea (68%), pyrexia (45%), and tachycardia (28%); hypoxemia (5%) was uncommon. Twenty-eight percent had positive viral testing, most commonly RSV (93/169, 55%), parainfluenza (29, 17%), and influenza A (23, 14%). Eighty-three infants (13.9%) had SBI: 8.4% (n = 50) had UTI alone, 2.8% (n = 17) had bacteremia alone, 1.2% (n = 7) had bacteremia + UTI, 1.0% (n = 6) had bacteremia + meningitis, and 0.5% (n = 3) had meningitis alone. Infants with documented respiratory viral pathogens were less likely to have any SBI (OR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.11-0.50), UTI (OR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.09-0.56), or bacteremia (OR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08-0.9) than infants with negative viral testing. There was no difference in meningitis frequency based on viral status (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.008-2.25).

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of bacteremia and UTI was lower in young infants with respiratory viral infections compared to infants with negative respiratory viral testing.

Epidemiology of serious bacterial infection in febrile infants under 3 months of age and diagnostic management in Mayotte

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants less than 90 days old presenting with fever on arrival at the emergency department (ED), and to assess the diagnostic management of febrile infants.

DESIGN

A retrospective study at Mamoudzou Hospital, Mayotte Island, French Department.

SETTING

General ED in the only pediatric hospital throughout the territory PATIENTS: We included infants less than 90 days old with a history of fever and bacterial investigation evaluated in the ED between 2016 and 2018. We excluded preterm infants (gestational age < 37 weeks) and those with known immunodeficiency or previous administration of antibiotics.

RESULTS

A total of 594 infants were included. In all, 105 infants (17.7%) were diagnosed with an SBI and 28 (4.7%) with an invasive bacterial infection of which 1.34% was meningitis. The most frequent SBI was pneumonia (n = 69, 11.6%) followed by urinary tract infection (UTI; n = 37, 6.2%). Predominant pathogens (excluding contaminants) were Escherichia coli (51.2% of the UTI cases), group B Streptococcus (62.5% of meningitis cases), and Staphylococcus aureus (61.5% of bacteremia cases). Seven infants presented with bacterial pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus with Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) exotoxin production. Ill-appearing infants, clinical signs of SBI and complex chronic condition were associated with a risk of SBI (respective odds ratio [OR]: 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3-6.9; OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.8-6.4; and OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2-8.5). The median age for SBI was 42 days (5-90). Fever without source (FWS) occurred more often in infants under 21 days of age (48.5% vs. 31.3% in older infants, p < 0.001). The median duration of fever at home was 24 h (6-96). Concerning management, in infants aged under 21 days, there were more lumbar punctures (58.3% vs. 23% in older infants, p < 0.001) and more frequent initiation of empiric antibiotics (62.6% vs. 42.7%, p < 0.001). Length of stay was also longer in this age range (5 days vs. 3 days, p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

Delay in medical consultation in the case of fever, the risk of SBI regardless of age, and unusual epidemiology with many IBI due to Staphylococcus aureus with PVL exotoxin production are specific characteristics observed in our study. Knowledge of the current epidemiology of SBI in Mayotte would be useful for setting up a risk-stratified protocol in this population in the future.

Evaluation and Management of Well-Appearing Febrile Infants 8 to 60 Days Old

This guideline addresses the evaluation and management of well-appearing, term infants, 8 to 60 days of age, with fever ≥38.0°C. Exclusions are noted. After a commissioned evidence-based review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an additional extensive and ongoing review of the literature, and supplemental data from published, peer-reviewed studies provided by active investigators, 21 key action statements were derived. For each key action statement, the quality of evidence and benefit-harm relationship were assessed and graded to determine the strength of recommendations. When appropriate, parents' values and preferences should be incorporated as part of shared decision-making. For diagnostic testing, the committee has attempted to develop numbers needed to test, and for antimicrobial administration, the committee provided numbers needed to treat. Three algorithms summarize the recommendations for infants 8 to 21 days of age, 22 to 28 days of age, and 29 to 60 days of age. The recommendations in this guideline do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.

Respiratory Viral Infections and Infection Prevention Practices among Women with Acute Respiratory Illness during Delivery Hospitalizations during the 2019-2020 Influenza Season

We conducted a cross-sectional study of pregnant women with acute respiratory illness during delivery hospitalizations in influenza season to describe clinical testing for respiratory viruses and infection prevention practices. Women had nasal swabs tested for influenza and other respiratory viruses. Among 91 enrolled women, 22 (24%) had clinical testing for influenza. Based on clinical and study testing combined, 41/91 (45%) women had samples positive for respiratory viruses. The most common virus was influenza (17/91, 19%); 53% (9/17) of influenza virus infections were identified through study testing alone. Only 16% of women were on droplet precautions. Peripartum respiratory infections may be underrecognized.

Viral Loads and Disease Severity in Children with Rhinovirus-Associated Illnesses

The role of rhinoviruses (RVs) in children with clinical syndromes not classically associated with RV infections is not well understood. We analyzed a cohort of children ≤21 years old who were PCR+ for RV at a large Pediatric Hospital from 2011 to 2013. Using univariate and multivariable logistic regression, we analyzed the associations between demographic, clinical characteristics, microbiology data, and clinical outcomes in children with compatible symptoms and incidental RV detection. Of the 2473 children (inpatients and outpatients) with an RV+ PCR, 2382 (96%) had compatible symptoms, and 91 (4%) did not. The overall median age was 14 months and 78% had underlying comorbidities. No differences in RV viral loads were found according to the presence of compatible symptoms, while in children with classic RV symptoms, RV viral loads were higher in single RV infections versus RV viral co-infections. Bacterial co-infections were more common in RV incidental detection (7.6%) than in children with compatible symptoms (1.9%, p < 0.001). The presence of compatible symptoms independently increased the odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) of hospitalization 4.8 (3.1-7.4), prolonged hospital stays 1.9 (1.1-3.1), need for oxygen 12 (5.8-25.0) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission 4.13 (2.0-8.2). Thus, despite comparable RV loads, disease severity was significantly worse in children with compatible symptoms.

Spontaneous Ileum Perforation in a premature twin with Coronavirus-19 positive mother

Spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) of the newborn is a single intestinal perforation commonly found in the terminal ileum without distinct causes. These cases often associated with prematurity. The new COVID-19 in pregnancy increased the risk of premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), and low birth weight (LBW). Here we report a premature twin with SIP that was born from Coronavirus-19 positive mother.

Clinical Signs, Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections in Infants

Certain infectious diseases are common in infants than any other age groups and are associated with morbidities in childhood and adulthood, and even mortality in severe cases. Environment, epidemic and maternal immunity are the main causes of these infections. Early diagnosis using molecular methods and treatment is therefore important to prevent future complications. Vaccines are recommended during infancy and childhood to prevent these infections. This review highlights some of the most commonly reported viral infections in children, their clinical signs, prevention and treatment.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Febrile Infants Without Respiratory Distress

We report two cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) in infants presenting with fever in the absence of respiratory distress who required hospitalization for evaluation of possible invasive bacterial infections. The diagnoses resulted from routine isolation and real-time RT-PCR-based testing for SARS-CoV-2 for febrile infants in an outbreak setting.

The clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 positive neonates

The COVID-19 pneumonia was firstly reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease had a rapid spread all over the word becoming an international public health emergency. Limited data were available on COVID-19 positive neonates. We reviewed relevant literature to understand the clinical course of disease and transmission routes in affected neonates. The aim of the study was evaluating the clinical course and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 positive neonates. Based on current literature, the hypothesis of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, though conceivable, remains unproven. A research conducted on PubMed database from December 2019 to April 27, 2020 revealed that were reported 25 neonates affected by SARS-CoV-2. Main symptoms were fever, cough, or shortness of breath but often these neonates did not show other symptoms during length stay in hospital. No deaths occurred.

Group B Streptococcus Meningitis in an Infant with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Detection

We report our experience caring for an infant with respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV) and group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteremia and meningitis. Concurrent GBS meningitis and RSV is rare but highlights the importance of correlating clinical symptoms with viral diagnostic testing during the evaluation of infants at risk for serious bacterial infection.

Clinical implications of aminotransferase elevation in hospitalised infants aged 8‐90 days with respiratory virus detection

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Practice Variation in the Evaluation and Disposition of Febrile Infants ≤60 Days of Age

BACKGROUND

Febrile infants commonly present to emergency departments for evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

We describe the variation in diagnostic testing and hospitalization of febrile infants ≤60 days of age presenting to the emergency departments in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network.

METHODS

We enrolled a convenience sample of non-critically ill-appearing febrile infants (temperatures ≥38.0°C/100.4°F) ≤60 days of age who were being evaluated with blood cultures in 26 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network emergency departments between 2008 and 2013. Patients were divided into younger (0-28 days of age) and older (29-60 days of age) cohorts for analysis. We evaluated diagnostic testing and hospitalization rates by infant age group using chi-square tests and by site using analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Four thousand seven hundred seventy-eight patients were eligible for analysis, of whom 1517 (32%) were 0-28 days of age. Rates of lumbar puncture and hospitalization were high (>90%) among infants ≤28 days of age, with chest radiography (35.5%) and viral testing (66.2%) less commonly obtained. Among infants 29-60 days of age, lumbar puncture (69.5%) and hospitalization (64.4%) rates were lower and declined with increasing age, with chest radiography (36.5%) use unchanged and viral testing (52.7%) slightly decreased. There was substantial variation between sites in the older cohort of infants, with lumbar puncture and hospitalization rates ranging from 40% to 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation and disposition of febrile infants ≤60 days of age is highly variable, particularly among infants who are 29-60 days of age. This variation demonstrates an opportunity to modify diagnostic and management strategies based on current epidemiology to safely decrease invasive testing and hospitalization.