Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance of healthcare providers in a tertiary Pediatric hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to reveal the perceptions of healthcare providers who work in a tertiary children’s hospital about domestic and foreign COVID-19 vaccines to determine the frequency of hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination prior to its availability in Turkey and to elucidate the reasons for its rejection and distrust. Methods: A questionnaire about COVID-19 vaccination was conducted with 343 healthcare providers, including pediatricians, pediatric nurses, and auxiliary health staff. The questionnaire was conducted online. In the survey, participants were asked about sociodemographic characteristics and opinions on domestic and foreign COVID-19 vaccines, and reasons for vaccine refusal. Results: Women were more likely to be reluctant to get a domestic (p  .05). The factors predicting vaccine acceptance were status as a doctor, more than 10 years of professional experience, and male gender. Conclusion: More than half of the healthcare providers were willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine once available. Indecision rates were found to be high, although rejection rates were not. Status as a doctor, more than 10 years of professional experience, and male gender were factors associated with vaccination intention

Clinical and laboratory findings of 97 pediatric brucellosis patients in central Turkey

Brucellosis is a disease transmitted to humans by consumption of unpasteurized animal milk, or through direct contact with infected animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, laboratory findings of pediatric patients with brucellosis. Data of 97 patients diagnosed with brucellosis between January 2000 and December 2010 were evaluated retrospectively

The Perspective Of Pregnant Women On Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Before Pandemics

Objective: After pregnant women were detected to have serious complications when infected with pandemic A (H1N1) virus in 2009, priority of their vaccination was accepted. Our study was planned to estimate the perspective of pregnant women on pandemic influenza vaccine in Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Obstetrics Unit in October 2009, just before pandemic influenza vaccine is implemented, to evaluate the perception of the vaccine. Material and Methods: Our study was conducted by applying questionnaire to 86 pregnant women admitting to Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Obstetrics Unit. Age, trimester of pregnancy, gravida of pregnancy, seasonal influenza vaccine application status and whether the patient found pandemic influenza vaccine necessary were noted after the questionnaire was completed. Results: Pregnant women who filled our questionnaire were between 18 and 39 years of age, 13 of them were in the first trimester, 31 were in the second trimester and 42 were in the third trimester. Out of 86 pregnant women, 66 expressed that they did not find it necessary to have pandemic influenza vaccine. In our study it was found that 23.3% of pregnant women found pandemic influenza vaccine necessary, and although the study population was small, finding the vaccine necessary was not affected from mother's age, trimester of pregnancy or gravida of pregnancy. The only factor demonstrated to affect the acceptance of pandemic influenza vaccine was having been shot for seasonal influenza vaccine. Conclusion: It is very important to inform this group that they have a major risk if they have the disease and to remind and advise them to be vaccinated in routine controls.WoSScopu

Puffy Frontal Edema: A Serious Life-Threatening Finding of Pott'S Puffy Tumor: Case Report

Osteomyelitis of the frontal bone, otherwise known as Pott's puffy tumour, is a rare complication of frontal sinusitis or direct injury to the frontal bone in adolescent age group. Potts Puffy tumor can be complicated with cortical vein thrombosis, epidural abscess, subdural empyema, and brain abscess. Venous drainage of the frontal sinus flowing through diplopic veins, which have communication with the dural venous plexus is the cause of venous thrombosis. Through this venous system septic thrombi can potentially evolve and propagate from foci within the frontal sinus. We aimed to emphasize in this case report that Pott's puffy tumour should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a patient with swelling on the forehead, due to its high mortality rate of about 17%.WoSScopu

Oral fosfomycin for treating lower urinary tract infections due to multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in female adolescents

Fosfomycin trometamol (FT) has shown promising in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) uropathogens; however, clinical data are limited in pediatric patients. We conducted a retrospective study to describe the clinical and microbiological outcomes of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (LUTIs) due to MDR Escherichia coli treated with oral FT in female adolescents. A total of 70 outpatients, with a median age of 13 years (range 12-16 years), were included. FT was initiated as definitive treatment of UTIs in all patients due to documented resistance against alternative oral agents. All patients received a single dose of 3 g oral FT. The post-treatment clinical and microbiological cure rates were 97% (68/70) and 94% (66/70), respectively. Only two (3%) patients reported mild, self-limited diarrhea. UTI relapse occurred in two (3%) patients. Our results suggest that oral FT might be an alternative option for outpatient treatment of uncomplicated LUTIs due to MDR E. coli in female adolescents