Neonatal early onset sepsis due to Moraxella osloensis: Case-report and revision of the literature

We report the first case of early-onset systemic neonatal infection associated with Moraxella osloensis bacteriemia in a full term baby. The genus Moraxella is constituted by a group of pleomorphic bacteria obligate aerobes, Gram-negative, oxidase positive and indole negative infrequently isolated from clinical specimens. The organism is rarely reported in the literature as the causative agent of infection in humans, mostly in immunocompromised patients. Only 12 cases of M. osloensis-related infections during childhood have been reported in the literature so far. This unique report of M. osloensis infection, during the neonatal period, concerns the isolation of the bacteria in purulent secretions from the eyes of a 3-week-old baby with opthalmia. In our patient, the precocity of the onset of symptoms allows us to hypothesize a vertical transmission of the bacteria

First record of Spermatozopsis similis (Chlorophyta) in a marine environment

El objetivo del presente trabajo es registrar por primera vez la presencia de Spermatozopsis similis H.R.Preisig et M.Melkonian en un ambiente marino y describir su morfología y abundancia en la Ría del Jabalí (Bahía Anegada, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Se realizaron muestreos mensuales entre los meses de junio y noviembre de 2006 y las muestras se observaron bajo microscopio óptico y electrónico de barrido. Los ejemplares de S. similis presentaron células biflageladas fusiformes y levemente espiraladas, con flagelos de largo desigual. S. similis fue un componente importante del fitoplancton en la Ría del Jabalí entre junio y agosto de 2006, alcanzando su máxima abundancia durante agosto (6770 cél.ml-1), durante este período se observaron valores muy altos y fluctuantes en la salinidad. Este trabajo constituye el primer registro de Spermatozopsis similis en un ambiente marino.The objective of the present study is to report for the first time the occurrence of Spermatozopsis similis H. R. Preisig et M. Melkonian in a marine environment, describing the morphology and its abundance in Ría del Jabalí; Bahía Anegada, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Samples were taken monthly between June and November 2006 and were observed under light and scanning electron microscope. Specimens of S. similis showed biflagellate, fusiform and slightly spiraled cells, with flagella of unequal length. S. similis was an important component of phytoplankton in Ría del Jabalí between June and August 2006, reaching its maximum abundance in August (6 770 cél.ml-1), during this period there were observed very high and fluctuating values of salinity. This paper is the first record of S. similis in a marine environment.Fil: Fernandez, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: Gauna, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: Croce, Maria Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (i); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: Parodi, Elisa Rosalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Laboratorio de Ecología Acuática; Argentin

Association of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and neuroblastoma in a newborn.

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Current practice of iron prophylaxis in preterm and low birth weight neonates: A survey among Italian Neonatal Units.

Background: Preterm babies are at high risk of iron deficiency. Methods: We investigated current practices regarding iron prophylaxis in preterm and low birth weight newborns among Local Neonatal Units (LNUs, n = 74) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs, n = 20) of three Italian Regions (Piemonte, Marche and Lazio). Results: Birth weight is considered an indicative parameter in only 64% of LNUs and 71% of NICUs, with a significant difference between LNUs in the three regions (86%, 20% and 62%, respectively; p < 0.001). Iron is recommended to infants with a birth weight between 2000 and 2500 g in only 25% of LNUs and 21% of NICUs, and to late-preterm (gestational age between 34 and 37 weeks) in a minority of Units (26% of LNUs, 7% of NICUs). Conclusions: Our pilot survey documents a great variability and the urgent need to standardize practices according to literature recommendations. Key Words: iron, iron deficiency anemia, newborn, preterm, prophylaxi

Absolute reticulocyte count and reticulocyte hemoglobin content as predictors of early response to exclusive oral iron in children with iron deficiency anemia

We report data regarding kinetic of response to oral iron in 34 iron deficiency anemia children. Twenty-four/34 patients (70.5%) reached reference value of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration for age and sex at day + 30 from the beginning of treatment (complete early responders (CERs)), and 4/34 (12%) reached an Hb concentration at least 50% higher than the original (partial early responders (PERs)). CHr at T1 (within 7 days from the beginning of treatment) was significantly different in the different groups (22.95 in CERs versus 18.41 in other patients; p=0.001; 22.42 in early responders versus 18.07 in NERs; p=0.001). Relative increase of CHr from T0 to T1 resulted significantly higher in CERs than in other patients (0.21 versus 0.11, p=0.042) and in early responders than in NERs (0.22 versus 0.004, p=0.006). Multivariate logistic models revealed a higher probability of being a complete early responder due to relative increase of ARC from T0 to T1 [OR (95% CI) = 44.95 (1.54–1311.98)] and to CHr at T1 [OR (95% CI) =3.18 (1.24–8.17)]. Our preliminary data confirm CHr as early and accurate predictor of hematological response to oral iron

The role of plant-crab interaction in structuring microphytobenthic communities in a shallow temperate estuary

Microphytobenthos can be defined as the assemblage of microscopic, photosynthetic eukaryotic microalgae and cyanobacteria that live on sediment surfaces in salt marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation beds, intertidal sand and mudflats, and subtidal, illuminated sediments (MacIntyre et al., 1996; Miller et al., 1996). These microorganisms produce macroscopically recognizable microbial mats dominated by cyanobacteria and biofilms of epipelic diatoms, these structures are the result of sediment trapping, binding and precipitation by the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by the microorganisms (de Winder et al., 1999).Fil: Fernandez, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación. Universidad Provincial del Sudoeste; ArgentinaFil: Da Rodda, Constanza. Municipalidad de Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Gauna, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Croce, Maria Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Parodi, Elisa Rosalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin

MIS-C Treatment: Is IVIG Always Necessary?

Background: MIS-C is a potentially severe inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is considered the first-tier therapy, but it implies infusion of large fluid volumes that may worsen cardiac function. Patients and Methods: Since April 2020, we have developed a treatment protocol that avoids the infusion of IVIG as first-line therapy in the early phase of MIS-C. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of consecutive patients treated according to this protocol between 01/04/2020 and 01/04/2021. Results: In the last year, 31 patients have been treated according to the protocol: 25 with high-dose pulse MP (10 mg/kg) and 6 with 2 mg/kg. 67.7% of the patients responded to the initial treatment, while the others needed a step-up, either with Anakinra (25.8%) or with MP dose increase (6.5%). IVIG was administered in four patients. Overall, only one patient (3.2%) needed ICU admission and inotropic support; one patient developed a small coronary artery aneurysm. Conclusions: Timely start of MP therapy and careful fluid management might improve the outcomes of MIS-C patients