Recurrent otitis media in childhood

Os autores fazem revisão sobre otite média recorrente, na infância, abordando aspectos clínicoepidemiológicos, seus principais agentes etiológicos, alterações imunológicas envolvidas e enfocam a necessidade de adequada propedêutica diagnóstica, propondo os principais exames complementares necessários.The authors review the recurrent otitis media during infancy, discussing the clinical epidemiological aspects, their principal etiological agents, the immunity alterations involved, and emphasizing the need for an adequate propedeutic diagnosis, proposing the main complementary screening tests

Níveis de complemento em crianças brasileiras durante e após meningite meningocócica

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional activity of the classical and alternative pathways of the complement system and the levels of C3, C4, and factor B during the first episode of meningococcal infection and during the convalescence period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten Brazilian children ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years, admitted from 1991 to 1993 with a clinical-laboratory diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis, were studied during acute infection (up to 7 days from diagnosis) and during the convalescence period (1 to 6 months after the acute episode). C3, C4, and Factor B were measured using nephelometry, and the lytic activity of classical and alternative pathways were evaluated by a kinetic method and expressed as the time needed to lyse 50% of an erythrocyte suspension (T1/2, expressed in seconds). Low T1/2 values for classical and alternative pathways correlate with high activities of the classical and alternative complement pathways, respectively. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between the alternative pathway lytic activity during infection and the convalescence period (282 vs 238 seconds, respectively, P = .01). No differences were detected in the other complement parameters analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of meningococcal meningitis, the alternative pathway is preferentially activated. This is probably due to the greater ability of the meningococcal endotoxin to activate this pathway in vivo.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a atividade funcional das vias clássica e alternativa do sistema complemento e os níveis de C3, C4 e fator B durante o primeiro episódio de infecção meningocócica e durante a convalescença. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Dez crianças brasileiras com idades entre 8 meses e 8 anos, admitidas de 1991 a 1993, com diagnóstico clínico-laboratorial de meningite meningocócica, foram estudadas durante infecção aguda (até 7 dias do diagnóstico) e no período de convalescença (entre 1 e 6 meses após). C3, C4 e fator B foram quantificados por nefelometria e a atividade lítica das vias clássica e alternativa foi avaliada por método cinético e expressa como tempo necessário para lisar 50% de uma suspensão de eritrócitos (T1/2, expresso em segundos). Baixos valores de T1/2 das vias clássica e alternativa se correlacionam com elevadas atividades de via clássica e via alternativa, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre a atividade lítica da via alternativa durante a infecção e no período de convalescença (282 e 238 segundos, respectivamente, P= .01). Nenhuma diferença foi detectada nos outros parâmetros analisados. CONCLUSÕES: Na presença de meningite meningocócica a via alternativa é preferencialmente ativada, provavelmente devido à maior capacidade da endotoxina meningocócica para ativar esta via, in vivo

A family history of serious complications due to BCG vaccination is a tool for the early diagnosis of severe primary immunodeficiency

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is one of the most severe forms of primary immunodeficiency (PID). Complications of BCG vaccination, especially disseminated infection and its most severe forms, are known to occur in immunodeficient patients, particularly in SCID. A carefully taken family history before BCG injection as well as delaying vaccination if PID is suspected could be a simple and effective method to avoid inappropriate vaccination of an immunodeficient child in some cases until the prospect of newborn screening for SCID has been fully developed. We describe a patient with a very early diagnosis of SCID, which was suspected on the basis of the previous death of two siblings younger than one year due to severe complications secondary to the BCG vaccine. We suggest that a family history of severe or fatal reactions to BCG should be included as a warning sign for an early diagnosis of SCID

Infecções de repetição: o que é importante para o pediatra Recurrent infections: what is important to pediatricians

OBJETIVO: Apresentar uma revisão atualizada sobre infecções de repetição em crianças, abordando importantes aspectos para o pediatra relacionados a infecções em crianças saudáveis e em crianças com imunodeficiências primárias. FONTES DE DADOS: Artigos relacionados ao tema foram coletados dos bancos de dados Medline e Lilacs no período entre 1980 e 2008, tendo sido selecionados artigos de meta-análise, revisão e estudos clínicos realizados em seres humanos, cuja metodologia e discussão estavam bem estruturadas. Também foram incluídos livros-texto nacionais e internacionais pertinentes ao tema. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Infecções de repetição são frequentes na clínica pediátrica. Aproximadamente 50% dessas crianças são saudáveis e 10% podem ser imunodeficientes. A criança saudável apresenta crescimento e desenvolvimento normais e se encontra bem entre os episódios infecciosos. As infecções, na maioria das vezes, não têm curso prolongado ou complicado e ocorrem devido ao aumento da exposição a agentes infecciosos do meio ambiente nos primeiros anos de vida. As imunodeficiências primárias geralmente se manifestam como infecções de repetição por microorganismos específicos ou por germes de baixa virulência. Na maioria das vezes, os quadros infecciosos apresentam evolução prolongada, resposta inadequada à antibioticoterapia e elevados riscos de complicações. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico precoce das imunodeficiências primárias é essencial para que medidas terapêuticas sejam rapidamente instituídas, reduzindo os riscos de ocorrência de óbito e complicações.<br>OBJECTIVE: To present an up-to-date review about recurrent infections in children, addressing important aspects for pediatricians related to infections in healthy children and in children with primary immunodeficiencies. DATA SOURCE: Articles related to the subject were collected from Medline and Lilacs databases between 1980 and 2008, selecting articles of meta-analysis, review and clinical trials in humans, with well-structured methodology and discussion. National and international textbooks relevant to the subject were also included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Recurrent infections are frequent in pediatric clinics. Approximately 50% of these children are healthy and 10% may be immunodeficient. The healthy child presents normal growth and development and is well between infections. Most times, infections do not have prolonged or complicated evolution, and they occur due to exposure to infectious agents from the environment during the first years of life. Primary immunodeficiencies usually manifest as recurrent infections by specific microorganisms or by low virulence germs. Most of the times, these infections are prolonged, they present inadequate response to antibiotics and a high risk of complications. CONCLUSIONS: An early diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies is essential so that therapeutic measures may be taken quickly, reducing risks of death and complications

Complement levels in Brazilian children during and after meningococcal meningitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional activity of the classical and alternative pathways of the complement system and the levels of C3, C4, and factor B during the first episode of meningococcal infection and during the convalescence period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten Brazilian children ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years, admitted from 1991 to 1993 with a clinical-laboratory diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis, were studied during acute infection (up to 7 days from diagnosis) and during the convalescence period (1 to 6 months after the acute episode). C3, C4, and Factor B were measured using nephelometry, and the lytic activity of classical and alternative pathways were evaluated by a kinetic method and expressed as the time needed to lyse 50% of an erythrocyte suspension (T1/2, expressed in seconds). Low T1/2 values for classical and alternative pathways correlate with high activities of the classical and alternative complement pathways, respectively. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between the alternative pathway lytic activity during infection and the convalescence period (282 vs 238 seconds, respectively, P = .01). No differences were detected in the other complement parameters analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of meningococcal meningitis, the alternative pathway is preferentially activated. This is probably due to the greater ability of the meningococcal endotoxin to activate this pathway in vivo