[Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in children. Case records 1985 - 2003].

Acute bacterial meningitis and sepsis are the most severe among invasive diseases due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly in pediatric age, and present a high risk of mortality and neurologic sequelae. S. pneumoniae is a major worldwide pathogen in children.

[Mediastinal tubercular lymphadenitis and adenobronchial fistulas (TABF) in the paediatric age. 1980-2001 case record].

The aim of this study is to assess the frequency and clinical importance of mediastinal tubercular lymphadenitis and adenobronchial fistulas (TABF) and to evaluate the role of fiberbronchoscopy and surgical bronchoscopy associated with antimicrobical chemotherapy. 136 cases of primary pulmonary TBC, admitted to the Unit of Infectious Diseases, Bambino Gesu Children Hospital in Rome, between 1980 and 2001, were enrolled in the study. We considered 56 patients with clinical and radiological evidence of mediastinal tubercular lymphadenitis and 28 patients with adenobronchial fistulas (TABF).

Chemokine profiles in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during the course of pyogenic and tuberculous meningitis.

The concentrations of the chemokines IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) were measured in 120 CSF samples from 23 patients with pyogenic meningitis and from 11 patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and in 10 CSF from subjects with non-infectious neurological diseases. The chemokine concentrations in patients with meningitis were significantly higher than in control subjects (P<0.0001).

[Bacterial meningitis and CSF cytokines].

Aim of study is the determination of concentrations of two important cytokines: TNF alfa and IL8 in children with bacterial meningitis to establish a correlation between infection, CSF concentration of cytokines and neurological sequelae. TNF alfa and IL8 concentrations in CSF have been measured by quantitative immunometric enzyme assay during the course of the disease. In the purulent meningitis we observed that CSF concentrations of these cytokines decreased to undectable values 24 to 48 hours after beginning of the antibiotic therapy.

[Otomastoiditis caused by Mycobacterium avium: a case report].

Non tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Infections mainly affect immunocompromised patients, appearing as disseminated or pulmonary disease. In immunocompetent children the most common form of infection with NTM is cervical adenitis. Ear infection seems to be a rare disease.