Clinical and molecular epidemiology of invasive Staphylococcus aureus infection in Utah children; continued dominance of MSSA over MRSA.

Background: Invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children. In the early 2000's the proportion of infections due the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) increased rapidly.

Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Serotype a Infections in Utah Children.

Background: Following widespread use of the Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccine, H. influenzae serotype a (Hia) has emerged as an important pathogen in children in some regions. We describe the clinical features and molecular epidemiology of invasive Hia disease in children in Utah over an 11-year period.

Procalcitonin Accurately Identifies Hospitalized Children With Low Risk of Bacterial Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background: Lower procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations are associated with reduced risk of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults, but data in children are limited.

Methods: We analyzed serum PCT concentrations from children hospitalized with radiographically confirmed CAP enrolled in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Etiology of Pneumonia in the Community (EPIC) Study. Blood and respiratory specimens were tested using multiple pathogen detection methods for typical bacteria (eg, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus), atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae), and respiratory viruses.

Preclinical Assessment of a Fully Automated Multiplex PCR Panel for Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens.

We evaluated a multiplexed PCR panel for the detection of 16 bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid. Panel results were compared to routine testing, and discrepancies were resolved by additional nucleic acid amplification tests or sequencing. Overall, the positive and negative agreements across methods were 92.