Paediatric Investigators Collaborative Network on Infections in Canada (PICNIC) study of aseptic meningitis

BACKGROUND: The seasonality, clinical and radiographic features and outcome of aseptic meningitis have been described for regional outbreaks but data from a wider geographic area is necessary to delineate the epidemiology of this condition. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed of children presenting with aseptic meningitis to eight Canadian pediatric hospitals over a two-year period. RESULTS: There were 233 cases of proven enteroviral (EV) meningitis, 495 cases of clinical aseptic meningitis and 74 cases of possible aseptic meningitis with most cases occurring July to October. Headache, vomiting, meningismus and photophobia were more common in children ≥ 5 years of age, while rash, diarrhea and cough were more common in children < 5 years of age. Pleocytosis was absent in 22.3% of children < 30 days of age with proven EV meningitis. Enterovirus was isolated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 154 of 389 patients (39.6%) who had viral culture performed, and a nucleic acid amplification test for enterovirus was positive in CSF from 81 of 149 patients (54.3%). Imaging of the head by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was completed in 96 cases (19.7%) and 24 had abnormal findings that were possibly related to meningitis while none had changes that were definitely related to meningitis. There was minimal morbidity and there were no deaths. CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation of aseptic meningitis varies with the age of the child. Absence of CSF pleocytosis is common in infants < 30 days of age. Enterovirus is the predominant isolate, but no etiologic agent is identified in the majority of cases of aseptic meningitis in Canadian children

Fulminant hepatitis in typhoid fever

Summary: Aim: To report a patient with typhoid fever who presented with fulminant hepatitis and was found to have a co-infection with hepatitis A. Case: An 11-year-old girl presented with fever and jaundice after arrival from India. Her blood culture was positive for Salmonella typhi. While on treatment with ceftriaxone, she had worsening of her jaundice with abrupt elevation of liver transaminases associated with coagulopathy. She was found to have an associated hepatitis A infection. Liver enzymes all reverted back to normal upon follow up. Conclusion: The association of typhoid fever with hepatitis A can result in fulminant hepatitis but in this case, is associated with complete recovery. Keywords: Typhoid fever, Typhoid hepatitis, Fulminant hepatitis, Hepatitis

Trends and variations in the epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Kuwait 1987–2013

Summary: The introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine and conjugate pneumococcal vaccine into routine childhood vaccination in Kuwait has resulted in the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis as the leading cause of invasive bacterial infection in children. Currently, a quadrivalent ACYW-135 meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is administered as part of routine childhood vaccination in Kuwait at the age of 2 years. Conjugate meningococcal vaccines have been shown to be more effective in preventing meningococcal infection in young children. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of meningococcal disease (MD) in Kuwait and evaluate the need for conjugate vaccine in routine childhood immunization. We have reviewed the MD surveillance data from the communicable disease unit, Ministry of Health, Kuwait during the period from 1987 to 2013. The analysis included microbiologically confirmed cases of N. meningitidis in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. There were 293 cases of confirmed MD during the study period. Two hundred and four cases (70%) were in children ≤14 years of age. The mean incidence rate was 0.5/100,000 persons. The dominant serogroups were W-135 and B, accounting for 80 cases (32%) each. Serogroup B accounted for 69/204 (34%) of all cases in children ≤14 years and serogroup A accounted for 36/89 40% of all adult cases. There were three outbreaks: 1987 (caused by serogroup A), 1989 (caused by serogroup W-135) and 2002 (caused by serogroup B). The mean case fatality rate was 13.5%. In conclusion, despite childhood routine vaccination with ACYW-135 polysaccharide vaccine, infants and young children remain at high risk for MD, which supports the introduction of conjugate meningococcal vaccine to the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Keywords: Neisseria meningitidis, Kuwait, Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccin

Childhood meningitis in Kuwait in the era of post pneumococcal conjugate vaccination: A multicenter study

This is a retrospective study to evaluate epidemiology and etiologies of childhood meningitis in Kuwait after the routine introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The data was collected from 196 patients in the period of 2010–2014. Aseptic meningitis accounted for 51% of the cases, bacterial meningitis accounted for 29% cases and partially treated meningitis were 20%. Organisms causing bacterial meningitis were: Streptococcus pneumoniae 40.4%, Neisseria meningitidis 17.6%, Haemophilus spp. 12.2%, other gram positive or negative 19.3%, and Group B Streptococcus 8.8%. The hospitalization was complicated by admission to the ICU in 16.3% patients. Sequelae on discharge were seen in 4%, and 2.5% died of complications of meningitis. In children with pneumococcal meningitis, 48% were admitted to the ICU, 35% were discharged with sequelae and 13% died. In the era of post pneumococcal conjugate vaccination, S. pneumoniae remains the leading cause of bacterial meningitis with the greatest morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Meningitis, Children, Pediatric, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Vaccine, Kuwai

Kuwait Recommendations on Vaccine Use in People with Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases

People with IRD are at increased risk of infection, and in 2011 EULAR made general recommendations for vaccination in these patients. Global and European perspectives are important, but they cannot accurately reflect the individual situations of patients in different countries and regions. Based on our clinical experience and opinions, we have sought to tailor the original EULAR recommendations to include advice for vaccination with new agents approved in the intervening years—including the new class of targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. We have also considered the specific demographic needs of patients in local populations in the Gulf region. The resulting 16 recommendations are grouped into four main categories covering general vaccination guidelines and best-practice for all patients with IRD, followed by a set of recommended vaccines against specific pathogens. The last two categories include recommendations for certain patient subgroups with defined risks and for patients who wish to travel