Risk Factors for Persistent Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Children.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of pediatric bacteremia. Persistent S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in adults and children.

Toxin-neutralizing Abs are associated with improved T cell function following recovery from Staphylococcus aureus infection.

BACKGROUNDT cell responses are impaired in Staphylococcus aureus-infected children, highlighting a potential mechanism of immune evasion. This study tested the hypotheses that toxin-specific antibodies protect immune cells from bacterial killing and are associated with improved T cell function following infection.METHODSS.

Novel Identification of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Children With Septic Shock.

Objectives: Immunoparalysis in children with septic shock is associated with increased risk of nosocomial infections and death. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) potently suppress T cell function and may perpetuate immunoparalysis. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that children with septic shock would demonstrate increased proportions of MDSCs and impaired immune function compared with healthy controls.

Measures of Systemic Innate Immune Function Predict the Risk of Nosocomial Infection in Pediatric Burn Patients.

Critical injury-induced immune suppression has been associated with adverse outcomes. This acquired form of immunosuppression is poorly understood in pediatric burn patients, who have infectious complication rates as high as 71%. Our primary objectives were to determine if thermal injury results in early innate immune dysfunction and is associated with increased risk for nosocomial infections (NI).