Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

BACKGROUND: Respiratory viral infections are common among pediatric transplant patients, with human rhinovirus (HRV) being most frequent. In pediatric patients undergoing hemopoietic cell transplant (HCT), infection with HRV has been associated with progression to lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and adverse outcomes. We describe clinical presentation and outcomes of HRV infection in children undergoing HCT. METHODS: Single-center retrospective study. HCT recipients who were positive for HRV/EV (HRV+) or negative for any respiratory virus (VN) by BioFire® FilmArray® panel between October 2014, and December 2017, were included...

BACKGROUND: Characterization of longitudinal SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses in children following infection and vaccination is needed to inform SARS-CoV-2 vaccine policy decisions for children, which may differ from adults. METHODS: We enrolled individuals at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination for longitudinal serological testing and compared SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG and neutralization activity in children and adults stratified by infection and vaccination status using enzyme-linked immunosorbent and virus neutralization assays...

BACKGROUND: Post-exposure prophylaxis with varicella immunoglobulin is recommended to minimize risk of varicella complications for high-risk children. However, providers frequently use alternatives like acyclovir or intravenous immunoglobulin. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of post-exposure prophylaxis for varicella in children from January 2009 to December 2019. Data were provided by 47 children's hospitals who participate in the Pediatric Health Information Systems database...

The incidence of invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) has varied throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed iGAS infections in infants ≤1 year from 2012-2022. 25% of cases occurred in the last quarter of 2022. Pneumonia (21.8%) was the most common presentation. Twenty-one patients (65.6%) were successfully transitioned to oral antibiotics.

Few data exist on asymptomatic carriage of Bordetella species among populations receiving acellular pertussis vaccine. We conducted a cross-sectional study among acellular-vaccinated children presenting to an emergency department. B. pertussis carriage prevalence was <1% in this population, a lower prevalence than that found in recent studies among whole-cell pertussis-vaccinated participants.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many US youth with HIV (YHIV) used telehealth services; others experienced disruptions in clinic and antiretroviral therapy (ART) access. METHODS: Using the Cost-effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications (CEPAC)-Adolescent HIV microsimulation model, we evaluated three scenarios: 1) Clinic: in-person care; 2) Telehealth: virtual visits, without CD4 or viral load monitoring for 12 months, followed by return to usual care; and 3) Interruption: complete care interruption with no ART access or laboratory monitoring for 6 months (maximum clinic closure time), followed by return to usual care for 80%...

BACKGROUND: The role of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in predicting contagiousness, disease severity, transmissibility, and clinical decision-making continues to be an area of great interest. However, most studies have been in adults and have evaluated SARS-CoV-2 loads using cycle thresholds (Ct) values, which are not standardized preventing consistent interpretation critical to understanding clinical impact and utility. Here, a quantitative SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription digital PCR (RT-dPCR) assay normalized to WHO International Units was applied to children at risk of severe disease diagnosed with COVID-19 at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between March 28, 2020, and January 31, 2022...

We enrolled 1323 hospitalised infants aged <1 year in 2016-2018, and examined the association between HIV status and in-hospital mortality. After controlling for confounders, HIV exposed uninfected infants did not have an increased risk of mortality, whereas infants living with HIV had four-times greater risk compared to HIV uninfected infants.

Studies have linked RSV antibody-mediated phagocytosis and complement deposition to severe RSV infection. We show waning of these functions in women of childbearing age during 2020-2021 and implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures and RSV hiatus. These functions may be explored as immune correlates of protection against RSV.

This study examined attitudes toward maternal RSV vaccines among pregnant and lactating persons in Kenya. First pregnancy was associated with higher vaccine hesitancy among pregnant and lactating people, and social norms were associated with higher vaccine hesitancy among lactating people. Understanding maternal RSV attitudes is critical for vaccine acceptance.

This clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of acute bacterial arthritis (ABA) in children was developed by a multidisciplinary panel representing the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). This guideline is intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for children with ABA, including specialists in pediatric infectious diseases and orthopedics. The panel's recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of ABA are based upon evidence derived from topic-specific systematic literature reviews...

Data are limited on the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinfection in children. This population-based cohort study in Niigata, Japan from January to November 2022 demonstrated the incidence of reinfection was 1337/48 099 (2.8%), and the hazard ratio for reinfection in vaccinated children was 0.29 (95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.40).

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) can be associated with severe complications which can be difficult to predict in the clinical setting. The previously published predictive acute complication score ("A-SCORE") and chronic complication score ("C-SCORE") show promise, however, further external validation is needed. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 418 children with AHO and analyzed the performance of A-SCORE (variables included bone abscess, fever after 48 hours of starting antibiotics, suppurative arthritis, disseminated disease and delayed source control) to predict risk for acute complicated course (treatment failure, prolonged admission, and/or need for ≥ 2 bone debridements) and C-SCORE (includes disseminated disease, bone debridement and CRP ≥10 mg/dl at 2-4 days after starting antibiotics) to predict chronic complications (growth restriction, pathologic fracture, chronic osteomyelitis, avascular necrosis, joint deformity and/or frozen joint)...

We evaluated costs for RSV medical attention in children aged < 24 months using MarketScan® Medicaid Multi-State claims database 2015-2019. Average cost was highest for RSV hospitalization with ICU admission ($23514-24835), followed by no ICU admission ($8039-8990), ED visits ($463-482), and outpatient visits ($145-151). Cost was higher for those with comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Factors surrounding vaccine uptake are complex. Although anxiety, which could influence vaccination decisions, has been associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), little is known about links between caregiver ACEs and pediatric vaccine uptake. We evaluated associations between caregivers' ACEs and decisions to vaccinate their children with influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of caregivers of patients ≥6 months at one pediatric primary care center was performed...

Optimal antituberculosis therapy is essential for favourable clinical outcomes. Peak plasma concentrations of first-line antituberculosis drugs in infants with living HIV receiving WHO-recommended dosing were low compared to reference values for adults, supporting studies on increased doses of first-line TB drugs in infants.

In March-June 2023 we conducted a test negative study in 1671 children who were hospitalized with acute respiratory illness in Hong Kong. 286 (17.2%) tested positive for influenza virus including 188 with A(H1N1). We estimated influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza-associated hospitalization as 69.6% (95% confidence interval: 49.3%, 81.7%).

There are limited resources for guidance on the transition from fellowship into a new faculty role in pediatric infectious diseases. This review aims to address this gap and provides a framework for a successful transition that is composed of four essential pillars-1) stepping into your role, 2) finding your niche, 3) building your network, and 4) self-care-all of which are supported by strong mentorship/sponsorship and continual re-alignment with one's personal mission statement. In addition to providing general principles and guidance, this review also outlines specific steps that a junior faculty member can take to expand their influence and build a successful, fulfilling career in pediatric infectious diseases...

BACKGROUND: IMPAACT 2014 study is a phase I/II, multicenter, open-label, non-randomized study of doravirine (DOR) co-formulated with lamivudine (3TC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) as fixed dose combination (DOR FDC) in adolescents with HIV-1. We report the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of DOR FDC through 96 weeks. METHODS: Participants were adolescents aged 12 to <18 years who weighed at least 45 kg and who were either antiretroviral (ARV)-naïve or virologically suppressed without documented resistance mutations to DOR/3TC/TDF...