A Syrian refugee with meningococcal empyema

Meningococcal infections are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in childhood. Herein we report a 2-year-old Syrian refugee boy living in Turkey diagnosed with Neisseria meningitidis serotype B infection complicated with intracranial empyema. Refugees are a sensitive population in all aspects especially infectious diseases. Endemic diseases in the refugees’ own countries constitute a major health problem. Vaccination in sensitive populations and in the country would be important precaution to decrease disease burden

Original Article The prevalence and diagnostic criteria of health-care associated infections in neonatal intensive care units in Turkey: A multicenter point- prevalence study

Beken, Serdar/0000-0002-8609-2684; Karagol, Belma Saygili/0000-0003-3728-9613; Cakir, Salih Cagri/0000-0001-5761-4757WOS:000631823700012Background: Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) in the neonatal period cause substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of HAIs, antimicrobial susceptibility of causative agents, and the adaptivity of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria in neonatal HAI diagnosis. Methods: A HAI point prevalence survey was conducted in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of 31 hospitals from different geographic regions in Turkey. Results: The Point HAI prevalence was 7.6%. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and late onset sepsis were predominant. The point prevalence of VAP was 2.1%, and the point prevalence of CLABSI was 1.2% in our study. The most common causative agents in HAIs were Gram-negative rods (43.0%), and the most common agent was Klebsiella spp (24.6%); 81.2% of these species were extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) (& thorn;). Blood culture positivity was seen in 33.3% of samples taken from the umbilical venous catheter, whereas 0.9% of samples of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) were positive. in our study, 60% of patients who had culture positivity in endotracheal aspirate or who had purulent endotracheal secretions did not have any daily FiO2 change (p = 0.67) and also 80% did not have any increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (p = 0.7). on the other hand, 18.1% of patients who had clinical deterioration compatible with VAP did not have endotracheal culture positivity (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Neonatal HAIs are frequent adverse events in district and regional hospitals. This at-risk population should be prioritized for HAI surveillance and prevention programs through improved infection prevention practices, and hand hygiene compliance should be conducted. CDC diagnostic criteria are not sufficient for NICUs. Future studies are warranted for the diagnosis of HAIs in NICUs

A pediatric case series of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by S.Pneumonia serotype-19A despite full dose vaccination

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia and bacterial meningitis in children. Although pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are commonly available, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) still remains a life-threatening complication. Serotype 19A has high invasive potential and is capable of causing extensive and destructive lung disease. This strain has greater invasive potential, may have a growth advantage over other pneumococcal serotypes in normally sterile sites, and is often resistant to multiple antibiotics. Although being a component of PCV13 vaccine, serotype 19A may still be seen in fully vaccinated children and can cause invasive disease. Herein, we present four cases of IPD caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 19A who received the full regimen of PCV13 vaccination

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Laboratory Features of Children With COVID-19 in Turkey

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by pediatric infectious disease specialists from 32 different hospitals from all over Turkey by case record forms. Pediatric cases who were diagnosed as COVID-19 between March 16, 2020, and June 15, 2020 were included. Case characteristics including age, sex, dates of disease onset and diagnosis, family, and contact information were recorded. Clinical data, including the duration and severity of symptoms, were also collected. Laboratory parameters like biochemical tests and complete blood count, chest X-ray, and chest computed tomography (CT) were determined. Results: There were 1,156 confirmed pediatric COVID-19 cases. In total, male cases constituted 50.3% (n = 582) and females constituted 49.7% (n = 574). The median age of the confirmed cases was 10.75 years (4.5-14.6). Of the total cases, 90 were younger than 1 year of age (7.8%), 108 were 1-3 years of age (9.3%), 148 were 3-6 years of age (12.8%), 298 were 6-12 years of age (25.8%), 233 were 12-15 years of age (20.2%), and 268 cases were older than 15 years of age (23.2%). The most common symptom of the patients at the first visit was fever (50.4%) (n = 583) for a median of 2 days (IQR: 1-3 days). Fever was median at 38.4 degrees C (38.0-38.7 degrees C). The second most common symptom was cough (n = 543, 46.9%). The other common symptoms were sore throat (n = 143, 12.4%), myalgia (n = 141, 12.2%), dyspnea (n = 118, 10.2%), diarrhea (n = 112, 9.7%), stomachache (n = 71, 6.1%), and nasal discharge (n = 63, 5.4%). When patients were classified according to disease severity, 263 (22.7%) patients were asymptomatic, 668 (57.7%) patients had mild disease, 209 (18.1%) had moderate disease, and 16 (1.5%) cases had severe disease. One hundred and forty-nine (12.9%) cases had underlying diseases among the total cases; 56% of the patients who had severe disease had an underlying condition (p 0.01). The need for hospitalization did not differ between patients who had an underlying condition and those who do not have (p = 0.38), but the need for intensive care was higher in patients who had an underlying condition (p 0.01). Forty-seven (31.5%) of the cases having underlying conditions had asthma or lung disease (38 of them had asthma). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest pediatric data about confirmed COVID-19 cases. Children from all ages appear to be susceptible to COVID-19, and there is a significant difference in symptomatology and laboratory findings by means of age distribution

Parental vaccine knowledge and behaviours: a survey of Turkish families

Background Personal and herd immunity require durability in high vaccination coverage rates, and this mainly depends on the interaction between parental and service/provider factors. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess Turkish parents' knowledge and behaviours concerning childhood vaccination and their association with familial sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, including a questionnaire, was conducted with parents of children aged between 1 day and 120 months. Results: Of the 903 index children, 881 (97.6\%) were up to date for all vaccinations by age. Demographic variables were not related to belief in protection through vaccination or rejection of obligatory vaccines. Mean age, education level, occupation of mother (P = 0.006, P < 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively) and father (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, and P = 0.006, respectively), average monthly household income (P < 0.001), and experience of vaccine side-effects (P = 0.02) were associated with knowledge about optional childhood vaccines. Father's education level was independently associated with knowledge about optional childhood vaccines. Conclusions: Having any experience of vaccine side-effects and parental sociodemographic characteristics, especially father's education level, affect Turkish parents' knowledge of childhood optional vaccines

Impact Of The Mandatory Hepatitis A Immunization Program: Before And After The Vaccine In Ankara, Central Of Turkey

In Turkey Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is considered to be moderate-endemic. Hepatitis A vaccine was included in the mandatory vaccination schedule of Turkey on November 2012. We aimed to evaluate the cases of HAV infection followed in Ankara, which is located in the center of Central Anatolia, retrospectively according to the date of the administration of the mandatory hepatitis A vaccine. A total of 272 children followed-up between January 2008 and December 2015 for HAV infection in five separate hospitals were enrolled to the study. There were 200 (68.2%) cases in the pre-vaccination group, 72 (31.74%) cases in the post-vaccination group, and 55.1% were male in total. The immunization status were as follow; 89.7% (n = 244) unvaccinated, 0.4% (n = 1) vaccinated and 9.9% (n = 27) with unknown immune status. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in hospitalization rates, but no statistically significant differences in hospitalization indications, length of hospital stay, complication types and proportions, and normalization period of transaminases. The national hepatitis A immunization program in Turkey has had a significant impact when the targeted population is considered, with suggestive herd protection effects.WoSScopu

Rotavirus infections in children in Turkey: A systematic review

We aimed to describe rotavirus epidemiology and clinical findings including extraintestinal manifestations in a setting that has yet to introduce rotavirus vaccines in the national immunization program. A literature search was performed by using the key words ``Turkey{''} and ``rotavirus.{''} Ninety-eight studies published between 1987 and 2016 including epidemiological, clinical, and genotypical data at least 1 year duration were included. There were a total of 117 741 children with diarrhea and 26 566 rotavirus gastroenteritis with a median detection rate 31.8\% (95\% CI, 31.3-32.4) under 5 years of age. The rate of dehydration was 47\% (95\% CI, 23.4-91.6). There were 328 cases reported to be presenting with a various complication related to rotavirus in 2750 children in eight studies. The overall complication rate was 11.7\% (95\% CI, 10.7-12.9). The cumulative incidence of the most common genotypical combinations circulating worldwide was only 59.7\% (G9{[}P8], 25\%; G1{[}P8], 22\%; G2{[}P4], 5.6\%; G3{[}P8], 2.6\%; G4{[}P8], 4.5\%) whereas mixed, untypeable, and other genotypes were 2.4\%, 15\%, and 22.9\% respectively. Our results point out the importance of rotavirus vaccination by presenting that rotavirus may cause severe complications besides severe gastroenteritis. The role of strain diversity in the variability of clinical presentations of rotavirus infections needs to be further investigated

Alteration of thiol-disulphide homeostasis in acute tonsillopharyngitis

Objective: Thiol-disulphide homeostasis (TDH) has a critical role in various clinical disorders. We aimed to assess the association of TDH with acute tonsillopharyngitis (AT) in children. Methods: This study included 94 (73 viral and 21 bacterial) tonsillopharyngitis patients and 88 control children. Their native thiol, total thiol, and disulphide levels were measured. Results: Viral and bacterial tonsillopharyngitis patients had lower native thiol levels compared with healthy children (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). Both groups had lower total thiol levels compared with control children (P = 0.002 for viral, P = 0.011 for bacterial). The disulphide levels were lower in bacterial than in viral tonsillopharyngitis patients (P = 0.04), and there was a significant difference between viral tonsillopharyngitis patients and the control group (P < 0.001). The native/total thiol ratio in each patient group was lower than in the control group (P < 0.001 for viral, P = 0.017 for bacterial). The disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher in viral (P < 0.001 for both) and bacterial tonsillopharyngitis patients (P = 0.017 for both) than in healthy children. In all patients, a correlation was found between the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and native thiol (r = -0.211, P = 0.04), CRP and total thiol (r = -0.217, P = 0.036), white blood cell (WBC) and native thiol (r = -0.228, P = 0.002), WBC and total thiol (r = -0.191, P = 0.01), and WBC and disulphide (r = 0.160, P = 0.03). Discussion: TDH is altered in AT in children. The alteration is more prominent in viral than in bacterial tonsillopharyngitis

Risk factors for bacteremia in children with febrile neutropenia

Background/aim: Bacteremia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality during febrile neutropenia (FN) episodes. We aimed to define the risk factors for bacteremia in febrile neutropenic children with hemato-oncological malignancies. Materials and methods: The records of 150 patients aged <18 years who developed FN in hematology and oncology clinics were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with bacteremia were compared to patients with negative blood cultures. Results: The mean age of the patients was 7.5 +/- 4.8 years. Leukemia was more prevalent than solid tumors (61.3\% vs. 38.7\%). Bacteremia was present in 23.3\% of the patients. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated microorganism. Leukopenia, severe neutropenia, positive peripheral blood and central line cultures during the previous 3 months, presence of a central line, previous FN episode(s), hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnea were found to be risk factors for bacteremia. Positive central line cultures during the previous 3 months and presence of previous FN episode(s) were shown to increase bacteremia risk by 2.4-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively. Conclusion: Presence of a bacterial growth in central line cultures during the previous 3 months and presence of any previous FN episode(s) were shown to increase bacteremia risk by 2.4-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively. `these factors can predict bacteremia in children with FN