"Typhlitis" in rectum

A comparison of blood stream infections with extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and non-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in pediatric patients

Background

Rapid development and global spread of multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae) as a major cause of nosocomial infections is really remarkable. The aim of this study was to explore risk factors for health care associated blood stream infections (BSI) caused by ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae in children and analyze clinical outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients younger than 18 years-old with blood stream infection caused by K. pneumoniae was performed. Patients with ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates were compared with ESBL-non-producing isolates in terms of risk factors, outcome and mortality.

Results

Among 111 K. pneumoniae isolates 62% (n = 69) were ESBL –producing K. pneumoniae. The median total length of hospitalization and median length of stay in hospital before infection was significantly higher in patients with ESBL-producing isolates than ESBL-non-producing. Use of combined antimicrobial treatment was significantly different between ESBL-producing and ESBL-non-producing groups, 75.4% and 24.6%, respectively (p = 0.001). Previous aminoglycoside use was higher in cases with ESBL –producing isolates (p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between mortality and use of combined antibiotics (OR 4.22; p = 0.01).

Conclusion

ESBL production in K. pneumoniae isolates has a significant impact on clinical course of BSIs. Total length of hospitalization, length of hospital stay before infection, prior combined antibiotic use and use of aminoglycosides were significant risk factors for development of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae related BSI.

Neutropenic enterocolitis

Neutropenic colitis is a severe condition usually affecting immunocompromised patients. Its exact pathogenesis is not completely understood. The main elements in disease onset appear to be intestinal mucosal injury together with neutropenia and the weakened immune system of the afflicted patients. These initial conditions lead to intestinal edema, engorged vessels, and a disrupted mucosal surface, which becomes more vulnerable to bacterial intramural invasion. Chemotherapeutic agents can cause direct mucosal injury (mucositis) or can predispose to distension and necrosis, thereby altering intestinal motility. This article aims to review current concepts regarding neutropenic colitis’ pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.

Gastrointestinal and liver infections in children undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy in the years 2000

AIM: To review gastrointestinal and liver infections in children undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy. To look at gut microflora features in oncology children.

METHODS: We selected studies published after year 2000, excluding trials on transplanted pediatric patients. We searched English language publications in MEDLINE using the keywords: “gastrointestinal infection AND antineoplastic chemotherapy AND children”, “gastrointestinal infection AND oncology AND children”, “liver infection AND antineoplastic chemotherapy AND children”, “liver abscess AND chemotherapy AND child”, “neutropenic enterocolitis AND chemotherapy AND children”, “thyphlitis AND chemotherapy AND children”, “infectious diarrhea AND children AND oncology”, “abdominal pain AND infection AND children AND oncology”, “perianal sepsis AND children AND oncology”, “colonic pseudo-obstruction AND oncology AND child AND chemotherapy”, “microflora AND children AND malignancy”, “microbiota AND children AND malignancy”, “fungal flora AND children AND malignancy”. We also analysed evidence from several articles and book references.

RESULTS: Gastrointestinal and liver infections represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy. Antineoplastic drugs cause immunosuppression in addition to direct toxicity, predisposing to infections, although the specific risk is variable according to disease and host features. Common pathogens potentially induce severe diseases whereas opportunistic microorganisms may attack vulnerable hosts. Clinical manifestations can be subtle and not specific. In addition, several conditions are rare and diagnostic process and treatments are not standardized. Diagnosis may be challenging, however early diagnosis is needed for quick and appropriate interventions. Interestingly, the source of infection in those children can be exogenous or endogenous. Indeed, mucosal damage may allow the penetrance of endogenous microbes towards the bowel wall and their translocation into the bloodstream. However, only limited knowledge of intestinal dysbiosis in oncology children is available.

CONCLUSION: The diagnostic work-up requires a multimodal approach and should be implemented (also by further studies on new biomarkers) for a prompt and individualized therapy.

Rectal involvement in neutropenic enterocolitis

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a common gastrointestinal complication in children undergoing chemotherapy for a variety of malignancies. It usually involves ileum and caecum, and involvement of rectum has rarely been reported. The authors report neutropenic enterocolitis in a child undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic lymphoma which presented with ileus along with a mass like lesion in the rectum.

Typhlitis in acute childhood leukemia

OBJECTIVE

To review our experience with typhlitis among children treated for acute leukemia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The medical records of children with acute leukemia and typhlitis between 2006 and 2009 were reviewed for demographics and symptoms, and for microbiological and imaging findings.

RESULTS

In the 75 children with acute leukemia--54 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 21 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)--there were 10 episodes of typhlitis (4.5%) that developed during 221 periods of severe neutropenia. The cumulative risk of typhlitis was 7.4% in patients with ALL and 28.5% in patients with AML. Frequent symptoms were: abdominal pain and tenderness (100% each); fever and nausea (90% each); emesis (80%); diarrhea (50%), and hypotension, peritonitis and abdominal distension (10% each). The median duration of symptoms was 6 days (range: 2-11 days), and that of neutropenia 14 days (range: 3-25 days). All patients were treated medically and none surgically. Two patients died because of typhlitis and sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, the rate of typhlitis among leukemic children was 4.5%; however, the mortality rate was 20%. Thus, rapid identification and timely, aggressive medical intervention are necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality from typhlitis.