One step closer to influenza vaccine inclusiveness

Flu virus infection is a common cause of acute respiratory illness, with the major incidence in pediatric age, high morbidity, and mortality. The flu vaccine is recommended for all people aged ≥6 months, unless specific contraindications are present. Younger and older age, pregnancy, chronic diseases like asthma, and immunodeficiency are risk factors for severe complications following flu infection. Thus, these categories represent the target for flu vaccine strategies in most countries. Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) or live‐attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) are currently available, with specific precautions and contraindications. We aim to resume the current indications for vaccines in the vulnerable populations to support flu vaccination inclusiveness, in anticipation of a “universal vaccine” strategy

Consensus statement of the Italian society of pediatric allergy and immunology for the pragmatic management of children and adolescents with allergic or immunological diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has surprised the entire population. The world has had to face an unprecedented pandemic. Only, Spanish flu had similar disastrous consequences. As a result, drastic measures (lockdown) have been adopted worldwide. Healthcare service has been overwhelmed by the extraordinary influx of patients, often requiring high intensity of care. Mortality has been associated with severe comorbidities, including chronic diseases. Patients with frailty were, therefore, the victim of the SARS-COV-2 infection. Allergy and asthma are the most prevalent chronic disorders in children and adolescents, so they need careful attention and, if necessary, an adaptation of their regular treatment plans. Fortunately, at present, young people are less suffering from COVID-19, both as incidence and severity. However, any age, including infancy, could be affected by the pandemic. Based on this background, the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology has felt it necessary to provide a Consensus Statement. This expert panel consensus document offers a rationale to help guide decision-making in the management of children and adolescents with allergic or immunologic diseases

Autoimmune haematological disorders in two Italian children with Kabuki Syndrome

Kabuki syndrome (also called Niikawa-Kuroki syndrome) is a rare genetic disease described for the first time in Japan, characterised by anomalies in multiple organ systems and often associated with autoimmune disorders and impaired immune response. We herein report the clinical history, the therapeutic approach and the outcome of two children with Kabuki syndrome who developed autoimmune haematological disorders (haemolytic anaemia and immune thrombocytopenia). Factors regarding differential diagnosis and interventions in better management of this syndrome and its complications are discussed. This is the first report of Italian children with autoimmune haematological disorders complicating Kabuki syndrome

Association of interleukin-(IL)10 haplotypes and serum IL-10 levels in the progression of childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Derangement of genetic and immunological factors seems to have a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We investigated interleukin(IL)-10 genetically determined expression in children with an acute progression of ITP (n=41) compared to young patients with chronic ITP (n=44) and healthy controls (n=60), and attempted to correlate IL-10 production with the course of the disease. We genotyped our study population for three single nucleotide polymorphisms at positions -1082 (A/G), -819 (C/T) and -592 (C/A) in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene. IL-10 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The IL-10 production in our study population was significantly higher in patients carrying the GCC haplotype than those bearing ACC and ATA haplotypes (6.9±1.5 vs 3.6±0.8 vs 3.3±0.3, p=0.03). The serum concentration of IL-10 was significantly higher in patients with an acute course of their disease, who mainly carried the GCC haplotype (92%), compared to chronic subjects, bearing the non-GCC haplotypes, and controls [17pg/mL (1.7-18) vs 3.5pg/mL (0.6-11) vs 3pg/mL (1-7), p<0.01)]. Our findings show that patients carrying the GCC-high producer IL-10 haplotype have an acute development of ITP and that IL-10 levels might represent a useful predictive biomarker of the disease course

One step closer to influenza vaccine inclusiveness

Flu virus infection is a common cause of acute respiratory illness, with the major incidence in pediatric age, high morbidity, and mortality. The flu vaccine is recommended for all people aged ≥6&nbsp;months, unless specific contraindications are present. Younger and older age, pregnancy, chronic diseases like asthma, and immunodeficiency are risk factors for severe complications following flu infection. Thus, these categories represent the target for flu vaccine strategies in most countries. Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) or live-attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) are currently available, with specific precautions and contraindications. We aim to resume the current indications for vaccines in the vulnerable populations to support flu vaccination inclusiveness, in anticipation of a "universal vaccine" strategy

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations and Cerebral Abscess Recurrence in a Child With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

BACKGROUND: A 17-year-old boy was referred to our center with a history of brain abscess (BA) recurring after 9 years. The patient reported 2 previous treatments for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, sporadic nosebleeds, and familial history for epistaxis. Clinical investigations revealed arteriovenous malformations in lung, brain, and liver, as well as mucocutaneous telangiectases.A definite diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia was made based on clinical criteria and confirmed by genetic analysis. This is the first report of BA recurrence at the end of pediatric age. CONCLUSIONS:: The present case and the literature review of all cases of BA thus far reported highlight the need to raise the suspicion of a pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, both isolated and in the context of a possible hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, for any case of BA of unexplained etiology, in children as well as in adults

Hepatic angiodynamic profile in paediatric patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1 and type 2

Liver involvement is a common manifestation of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Although a number of studies have been carried out in adult patients, no study has ever been focused on investigating HHT-related hepatic involvement in paediatric patients. The present study aimed for the first time to systematically estimate the prevalence of HHT-associated liver involvement and to characterize HHT-associated hepatic angiodynamic features in paediatric ag

Clinical manifestation in large color of pediatric patients with HHT1 and HHT2: a cross-sectional study

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