Inborn Errors of Immunity in Children With Invasive Pneumococcal Disease: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background: In settings with universal conjugate pneumococcal vaccination, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) can be a marker of an underlying inborn error of immunity. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characterize the types of immunodeficiencies in children presenting with IPD.

Methods: Multicenter prospective audit following the introduction of routinely recommended immunological screening in children presenting with IPD.

The utility of chest x-ray and lung ultrasound in the management of infants and children presenting with severe pneumonia in low-and middle-income countries: A pragmatic scoping review.

Background: Chest x-ray (CXR) is commonly used (when available) to support clinical management decisions for child pneumonia and provide a reference standard for diagnosis in research studies. However, its diagnostic and technical limitations for both purposes are well recognised. Recent evidence suggests that lung ultrasound (LUS) may have diagnostic utility in pneumonia.

Cohort study of congenital complete heart block among preterm neonates: a single-center experience over a 15-year period.

Congenital complete heart block (CCHB) is a very rare condition, with high risk of mortality. Prematurity is associated with immaturity of the cardiovascular system. Morbidity related to CCHB and prematurity has never been described.

Tale of two viruses: parvovirus B19 and HIV.

We present a HIV-infected patient who developed severe anaemia due to chronic parvovirus B19 infection and subsequently had an unplanned pregnancy. This is in the context of poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy and significant immunosuppression; there was a delay in diagnosis of chronic parvovirus infection due to attribution of anaemia to HIV. She received immunoglobulin therapy and effective antiretroviral therapy, with reduction in parvovirus load and improvement in anaemia.

Stop, think SCORTCH: rethinking the traditional 'TORCH' screen in an era of re-emerging syphilis.

Background: The epidemiology of congenital infections is ever changing, with a recent resurgence in syphilis infection rates seen in the UK. Identification of congenital infection is often delayed; early recognition and management of congenital infections is important. Testing modalities and investigations are often limited, leading to missed diagnostic opportunities.

Changing Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease at Two Australian Tertiary Hospitals.

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in children. Universal pneumococcal conjugate vaccination has changed the epidemiology of IPD. In vaccinated children, IPD can be a marker of an underlying immunodeficiency.

Complicated Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

We present a case of Henoch Schonlein pupura in a 6-year-old boy demonstrating some of the diagnostic pitfalls, complications and management challenges of this common paediatric condition.

A combined effect of dextromethorphan and melatonin on neuropathic pain behavior in rats.

Previous study has shown that administration of melatonin into the anterior cingulate cortex contralateral to peripheral nerve injury prevented exacerbation of mechanical allodynia with a concurrent improvement of depression-like behavior in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, a genetic variation of Wistar rats. In the present study, we examined the effect of the individual versus combined treatment of melatonin and/or dextromethorphan (DM), a clinically available N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, on pain behaviors in WKY rats with chronic constriction sciatic nerve injury (CCI). Pain behaviors (thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia) were established at one week after CCI.

Spinal translocator protein (TSPO) modulates pain behavior in rats with CFA-induced monoarthritis.

Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), is predominantly located in the mitochondrial outer membrane and plays an important role in steroidogenesis, immunomodulation, cell survival and proliferation. Previous studies have shown an increased expression of TSPO centrally in neuropathology, as well as in injured nerves. TSPO has also been implicated in modulation of nociception.