Article
Immunology
N. Verma, P. Gupta, A. K. Pandey, S. Awasthi
Summary: The study aimed to assess the isolation and serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the nasopharynx of children aged 2-59 months with community acquired pneumonia. The results showed a lower rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae positivity in cases compared to controls, but a higher prevalence of vaccine serotypes in cases. Therefore, increasing pneumococcal vaccine coverage is necessary to prevent community acquired pneumonia.
Article
Immunology
Lilly M. Verhagen, Ismar A. Rivera-Olivero, Melanie Clerc, Mei Ling J. N. Chu, Jody van Engelsdorp Gastelaars, Maartje Kristensen, Guy A. M. Berbers, Peter W. M. Hermans, Marien de Jonge, Jacobus H. de Waard, Debby Bogaert
Summary: Recent research suggests that microbiota plays a role in susceptibility to respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections. The nasopharyngeal microbiota of rural Venezuelan children includes bacteria typical of tropical climates, with some similarities and differences compared to developed regions.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Francesco Folino, Miriam Fattizzo, Luca Ruggiero, Martina Oriano, Stefano Aliberti, Francesco Blasi, Michele Gaffuri, Paola Marchisio, Sara Torretta
Summary: The study found a higher relative abundance of Dolosigranulum and Corynebacterium genera in the nasopharynx of healthy children compared to children with RAOM, showing a decreasing trend in relative abundance of these two pivotal genera through disease severity. This suggests the need for further research on the role of Dolosigranulum and Corynebacterium in regulating the healthy URT microbiota.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Olivia J. J. Carr, Keoudomphone Vilivong, Laddaphone Bounvilay, Eileen M. Dunne, Jana Y. R. Lai, Jocelyn Chan, Malisa Vongsakid, Anisone Changthongthip, C. Siladeth, Belinda Ortika, Cattram Nguyen, Mayfong Mayxay, Paul N. Newton, Kim Mulholland, Lien A. H. Do, Audrey Dubot-Peres, Catherine Satzke, David A. B. Dance, Fiona M. Russell
Summary: This study in Laos explored the association between pneumococcal nasopharyngeal density and severe pneumonia, finding a positive correlation between pneumococcal carriage density and severe pneumonia among children carrying acute respiratory infections and pneumococcal.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Desiree Henares, Pedro Brotons, Mariona F. de Sevilla, Ana Fernandez-Lopez, Susanna Hernandez-Bou, Amaresh Perez-Arguello, Alex Mira, Carmen Munoz-Almagro, Raul Cabrera-Rubio
Summary: The study found that children's nasopharyngeal microbiota is closely related to respiratory health and disease, with microbiota composition varying according to respiratory health status and infection severity. Classification models based on microbiota can effectively differentiate between different respiratory health statuses with moderate accuracy.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gurkan Bozan, Vicente Perez-Brocal, Kaan Aslan, Eylem Kiral, Esra Sevketoglu, Mutlu Uysal Yazici, Ebru Azapagasi, Tanil Kendirli, Serhat Emeksiz, Oguz Dursun, Dincer Yildizdas, Ayse Berna Anil, Nihal Akcay, Hasan Serdar Kihtir, Merve Havan, Nazan Ulgen Tekerek, Faruk Ekinci, Omer Kilic, Andres Moya, Ener Cagri Dinleyici
Summary: The composition of microbiota in the intestines and nasopharynx of children with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) was found to be different from that of healthy children. The infection itself or other care interventions led to changes in the microbiota composition. Understanding the interaction of microbiota with pathogens, such as N. meningitidis, could help us understand the dynamics of the disease.
Article
Microbiology
Leah J. Ricketson, Ravinder Lidder, Robyn Thorington, Irene Martin, Otto G. Vanderkooi, Manish Sadarangani, James D. Kellner
Summary: Research on nasopharyngeal carriage in healthy school-age children showed that despite the universal childhood PCV13 immunization, a significant proportion of samples still had detectable vaccine serotypes, indicating the ongoing presence of vaccine serotypes in young children. The qPCR method was more sensitive in detecting S. pneumoniae and serotypes compared to traditional culture and Quellung reaction methods.
Article
Immunology
Jiye Kwon, Yong Kong, Martina Wade, Derek J. Williams, Clarence Buddy Creech, Scott Evans, Emmanuel B. Walter, Judy M. Martin, Jeffrey S. Gerber, Jason G. Newland, Meghan E. Hofto, Mary Allen Staat, Henry F. Chambers, Vance G. Fowler, W. Charles Huskins, Melinda M. Pettigrew
Summary: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common side effect of antibiotics. This study found that the gastrointestinal microbiota in children is associated with AAD. Children with higher levels of Bacteroides are less likely to develop AAD. Children with AAD have higher levels of Lachnospiraceae and experience prolonged dysbiosis.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bryndis Bjornsdottir, Ubaldo Benitez Hernandez, Asgeir Haraldsson, Valtyr Thors
Summary: This prospective study describes a cohort of children presenting to a single-centre pediatric emergency department (ED) with suspected invasive bacterial infection, and explores the relationships between nasopharyngeal microbes and outcomes. It found that the presence of respiratory viruses and the carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were associated with a higher risk of pneumonia in children.
Article
Immunology
Eileen M. Dunne, Yinglei Hua, Rasheed Salaudeen, Ilias Hossain, Malick Ndiaye, Belinda D. Ortika, E. Kim Mulholland, Jason Hinds, Sam Manna, Grant A. Mackenzie, Catherine Satzke
Summary: We investigated the pathogenesis of pneumococcal pneumonia using clinical samples. Results demonstrated that pneumococci in the lung originated from the nasopharynx and suggested that changes in pneumococcal gene expression in the lung are a feature of pneumococcal pneumonia.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Katarzyna Slizewska, Michal Wlodarczyk, Martyna Sobczak, Renata Barczynska, Janusz Kapusniak, Piotr Socha, Aldona Wierzbicka-Rucinska, Aneta Kotowska
Summary: Obesity is a serious issue in modern societies, with significant health implications including increased mortality and development of various disorders. This research aimed to investigate the effects of overweight and obesity on selected health markers in children. The findings showed that obese children had different fecal enzyme activity and a different fatty acid profile compared to children of normal weight, indicating a potential higher risk of developing serious diseases.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Paz Ventero, Oscar Moreno-Perez, Carmen Molina-Pardines, Andreu Paytuvi-Gallart, Vicente Boix, Isabel Escribano, Irene Galan, Pilar Gonzalez-delaAleja, Mario Lopez-Perez, Rosario Sanchez-Martinez, Esperanza Merino, Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Summary: This study analyzed the diversity and taxonomic composition of the nasopharyngeal microbiota, and found that higher diversity and the presence of certain genera may serve as early biomarkers for favorable clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Phillip A. Engen, Ankur Naqib, Cheryl Jennings, Stefan J. Green, Alan Landay, Ali Keshavarzian, Robin M. Voigt
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in nasopharyngeal microbial community structure between COVID-19-positive and -negative patients, providing preliminary evidence for the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and microbial communities.
BIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES ONLINE
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Silvia Salvatore, Maria Serena Battigaglia, Elena Murone, Eugenia Dozio, Licia Pensabene, Massimo Agosti
Summary: Dietary fibers have immune, cardiovascular, metabolic, and intestinal beneficial effects. They can be found naturally in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cereals or be used as supplements. Soluble fibers are digested by gut bacteria and have prebiotic effects, while non-soluble fibers improve intestinal transit. The amount and characteristics of fiber requirement in infants and children need further investigation, and the use of fibers in children with gastrointestinal disorders is still limited.
Article
Immunology
Karolina Kielbik, Aleksandra Pietras, Joanna Jablonska, Adrian Bakiera, Anna Borek, Grazyna Niedzielska, Michal Grzegorczyk, Ewelina Grywalska, Izabela Korona-Glowniak
Summary: Poland introduced the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in 2017 and conducted a study to evaluate its impact on the colonization of Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy children. The study found that the colonization rate was slightly higher in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated children. Additionally, the study identified an increase in antibiotic resistance among certain pneumococcal serotypes and a modest increase in colonization by non-vaccine serotypes.
Article
Pediatrics
Josephine van de Maat, Olga De Santis, Lameck Luwanda, Rainer Tan, Kristina Keitel
Summary: The study highlights challenges in using diagnostic test results, concerns regarding quality of antibiotic prescriptions, and frequent use of non-evidence-based complementary medicines in primary health care in Tanzania. Larger studies are needed to inform effective solutions.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Ruud G. Nijman, Silvia Bressan, Julia Brandenberger, Davi Kaur, Kristina Keitel, Ian K. Maconochie, Rianne Oostenbrink, Niccolo Parri, Itai Shavit, Ozlem Teksam, Roberto Velasco, Patrick van de Voorde, Liviana Da Dalt, Ann De Guchtenaere, Adamos A. Hadjipanayis, Robert Ross Russell, Stefano del Torso, Zsolt Bognar, Luigi Titomanlio
Summary: This joint statement aims to provide recommendations for dealing with refugee children and young people fleeing the Ukrainian war when presenting to emergency departments across Europe. It emphasizes the need to address ongoing health needs, mental health issues, and war-related injuries, and highlights the obstacles in providing urgent care such as lack of clinical guidelines and language barriers. The statement also emphasizes the importance of including Ukrainian refugee children and young people in local educational systems and social activities.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Veronique Suttels, Jacques Daniel Du Toit, Arnauld Attannon Fiogbe, Ablo Prudence Wachinou, Brice Guendehou, Frederic Alovokpinhou, Pericles Toukoui, Aboudou Rassisou Hada, Fadyl Sefou, Prudence Vinasse, Ginette Makpemikpa, Diane Capo-chichi, Elena Garcia, Thomas Brahier, Kristina Keitel, Khadidia Ouattara, Yacouba Cissoko, Seydina Alioune Beye, Pierre-Andre Mans, Gildas Agodokpessi, Noemie Boillat-Blanco, Mary Anne Hartley
Summary: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has the potential to be a valuable tool for tuberculosis (TB) management, offering numerous strengths and opportunities. However, there are also weaknesses and external threats to consider, such as operator dependency and lack of data from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Further research and evaluation are needed to fully realize the potential of POCUS in TB management.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shannon H. Baumer-Mouradian, Rebecca J. Hart, Jeffrey N. Bone, Michelle Seiler, Prasra Olson, Kristina Keitel, Sergio Manzano, Gianluca Gualco, Danna Krupik, Stephanie Schroter, Rachel M. Weigert, SunHee Chung, Graham C. Thompson, Nina Muhammad, Pareen Shah, Nathalie O. Gaucher, Maren M. Lunoe, Megan Evers, Cosette Pharisa Rochat, Courtney E. Nelson, Moran Shefler Gal, Adrianna Doucas, Ran D. Goldman
Summary: This study investigated caregiver attitudes toward mandating COVID-19 vaccines for schools/daycares. The findings showed that 37% of caregivers were opposed to any school vaccine mandate. The acceptance varied depending on the level of education, with the lowest acceptance rate observed for daycare settings and the highest for college. About 26% of caregivers reported a high likelihood of removing their child from school if the vaccine became mandatory. The safety of their child was caregivers' greatest concern regarding vaccine mandates.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Janet Michel, Annette Mettler, Carl Starvaggi, Nicola Travaglini, Christoph Aebi, Kristina Keitel, Thomas C. Sauter
Summary: The study highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement in the development of pediatric COVID-19 OFTT, the usefulness of OFTT to users, and the limitations of OFTT, providing insights for future development and implementation of telehealth interventions.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Janet Michel, Julia Rehsmann, Annette Mettler, Carl Starvaggi, Nicola Travaglini, Christoph Aebi, Kristina Keitel, Thomas C. Sauter
Summary: This study aims to explore the attitudes, experiences, and challenges faced by users and their families in regard to public health recommendations for a child-specific COVID-19 online forward triage tool (OFTT). The findings suggest that various interconnected factors influence people's attitudes towards public health recommendations.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Buser Sina, Gessler Noemi, Gmuender Myriam, Feuz Ursula, Jachmann Anne, Fayyaz Jabeen, Keitel Kristina, Brandenberger Julia
Summary: The aim of this study was to analyze the use of interpreter services and improve communication during health encounters with families with limited language proficiency. The study found that interpreter services were largely underused and relying on caregivers' self-assessed language proficiency and their active request for an interpreter was not sufficient to ensure safe communication. It is therefore necessary to implement systematic screening of language proficiency and standardized management of families with limited language proficiency to ensure equitable care.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Correction
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sina Buser, Noemi Gessler, Myriam Gmuender, Ursula Feuz, Anne Jachmann, Jabeen Fayyaz, Kristina Keitel, Julia Brandenberger
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
R. D. Goldman, R. J. Hart, J. N. Bonec, M. Seiler, P. G. Olson, K. Keitel, S. Manzano, G. Gualco, D. Krupik, S. Schroter, R. M. Weigert, S. Chung, G. C. Thompsonm, N. Muhammad, P. Shah, N. O. Gaucher, M. Hou, J. Griffiths, M. M. Lunoes, M. Evers, C. Pharisa Rochatu, C. E. Nelsonv, M. Gal, S. H. Baumer-Mouradian
Summary: This study investigated vaccine hesitancy in pediatric emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that hesitancy increased over time. Caregivers who were fully vaccinated, had higher education, and were worried about their child contracting COVID-19 were more likely to plan to vaccinate.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Carl Alessandro Starvaggi, Nicola Travaglini, Christoph Aebi, Fabrizio Romano, Isabelle Steiner, Thomas Christian Sauter, Kristina Keitel
Summary: This study describes the development and usage of www.coronabambini.ch as a pediatric electronic public health application and explores its potential and limitations in providing information on disease epidemiology and public health policy implementation. The online decision support tool reflects certain dynamics of the pandemic and changes in testing strategies, as well as the impact of public health policy. While usage of the tool is generally high, there are limitations due to selection bias, highlighting the potential and challenges of digital decision support as public health tools.
Article
Pediatrics
F. Romano, M. Wendelspiess, R. Mansour, O. Abplanalp-Marti, C. Starvaggi, F. Holzner, I. Steiner, K. Keitel
Summary: A retrospective analysis of patient records at the University Children's Hospital of Bern showed that nurse-directed intranasal fentanyl can be safely and effectively used for pediatric acute pain management. This study supports the introduction of nurse-directed fentanyl protocols in Europe.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nadja Mostacci, Tsering Monika Wuethrich, Lea Siegwald, Silas Kieser, Ruth Steinberg, Olga Sakwinska, Philipp Latzin, Insa Korten, Markus Hilty
Summary: This study validates the use of StrainPhlAn 3 for strain-level tracking of the respiratory microbiome by comparing its results with data from bacterial cultures. Careful optimization of parameters is necessary to accommodate low biomass microbiomes with high host DNA content.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Malte Kohns Vasconcelos, Patrick M. Meyer Sauteur, Kristina Keitel, Regina Santoro, Adrian Egli, Michael Coslovsky, Michelle Seiler, Marco Lura, Henrik Kohler, Natasha Loevy, Christian R. Kahlert, Ulrich Heininger, Johannes van den Anker, Julia A. Bielicki
Summary: The aim of this study was to describe the pathogens detected in Switzerland and their association with clinical findings. The majority of hospitalizations for community-acquired pneumonia in Switzerland were caused by respiratory viruses rather than encapsulated bacteria. The results of pathogen testing suggest that the majority of antibiotic treatments for pneumonia may be unnecessary.
SWISS MEDICAL WEEKLY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Claudia Peter, Enno Stranzinger, Johannes T. Heverhagen, Kristina Keitel, Fabrizio Romano, Jasmin D. Busch, Nedelina Slavova
Summary: Accurate management of minor head trauma in infants is crucial to avoid missing traumatic brain injury. This study examined the accuracy of radiologist-performed cranial ultrasound (CUS) in detecting skull fractures and intracranial hemorrhages. The results showed that CUS had a high sensitivity and specificity in excluding skull fractures and intracranial hemorrhages. Therefore, CUS is a reliable method of neuroimaging in infants after minor head trauma.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Alice C. Wismer, Milenko Rakic, Claudia E. Kuehni, Manon Jaboyedoff, Fabrizio Romano, Matthias Kopp, Julia Brandenberger, Georg Staubli, Kristina Keitel
Summary: The objective of this study was to define a minimal dataset for pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) in Switzerland and contribute a subspecialty module to a national pediatric data harmonization process. Through a Delphi survey and discussion, experts proposed common data elements (CDEs) specific to PEM and a minimal dataset similar to the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network registry. This will facilitate international data sharing for PEM research and quality improvement projects.
PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE
(2022)
