Case series: Congenital enterovirus infection-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and subsequent neutropaenia.

Congenital enterovirus infection can be associated with a pro-inflammatory state triggering haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Enteroviruses are also known to cause transient neutropenia in healthy children. Two infants presented with temperature instability, lethargy, thrombocytopaenia, hepatosplenomegaly and evidence of hyperinflammation in the setting of perinatal maternal rash and household contacts with gastrointestinal symptoms.

One- and Two-year Multidisciplinary Follow-Up of MIS-C at a Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Although 6-month follow-up of patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was reassuring, there is scant data on long-term sequelae, including whether changing variants affect clinical severity and outcomes.

Methods: Children (<18 years of age) admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital between April 4, 2020, and January 2023, meeting diagnostic criteria for MIS-C were included. Admission and follow-up data were categorized by the predominant SARS-CoV-2 circulating variant in the United Kingdom.

A Novel Homozygous Mutation Causing Complete TYK2 Deficiency, with Severe Respiratory Viral Infections, EBV-Driven Lymphoma, and Jamestown Canyon Viral Encephalitis.

Autosomal recessive tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) deficiency is characterized by susceptibility to mycobacterial and viral infections. Here, we report a 4-year-old female with severe respiratory viral infections, EBV-driven Burkitt-like lymphoma, and infection with the neurotropic Jamestown Canyon virus. A novel, homozygous c.

Characterising approaches to steroid therapy in paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2.

Aim: We describe approaches to steroid therapy use in paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) and examine the association between steroid therapy and key clinical markers of severity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of children (<18 years) admitted to a tertiary paediatric hospital in the UK with PIMS-TS. We collected data on if and why steroid therapy was used; the duration, type and dosing of steroids prescribed; and approaches to hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis monitoring, if performed.

Case Report: A Severe Paediatric Presentation of COVID-19 in APDS2 Immunodeficiency.

Critical respiratory manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are rare in children, and little is known about how immunocompromised children respond to the infection. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy with activated PI3K delta syndrome type 2 (APDS2) with a protracted and severe COVID-19 course with both inflammatory and acute respiratory features. He was treated with remdesivir, nitazoxanide, high-dose corticosteroids, and tocilizumab and made a full recovery.

Evolution of viral variants in remdesivir-treated and untreated SARS-CoV-2-infected pediatrics patients.

Detailed information on intrahost viral evolution in SARS-CoV-2 with and without treatment is limited. Sequential viral loads and deep sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from the upper respiratory tract of nine hospitalized children, three of whom were treated with remdesivir, revealed that remdesivir treatment suppressed viral load in one patient but not in a second infected with an identical strain without any evidence of drug resistance found. Reduced levels of subgenomic RNA during treatment of the second patient, suggest an additional effect of remdesivir on viral replication.

6-month multidisciplinary follow-up and outcomes of patients with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS) at a UK tertiary paediatric hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) is a new, rare, post-infectious complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. We aimed to describe the 6-month outcomes of PIMS-TS.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised children (aged <18 years) who fulfilled the UK Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) diagnostic criteria for PIMS-TS and were admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital (London, UK) between April 4 and Sept 1, 2020.

COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness in a UK Tertiary and Quaternary Children's Hospital: Tales of the Unexpected.

We describe the adaptive coping strategies required in the management of a heterogeneous group of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pediatric patients. The diverse range of presentations, presenting in distinct phenotypic waves, exemplified the importance of preparedness for the unknown. Lessons learned will be essential in planning for a likely second wave of SARS-CoV-2.

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.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus and Autoimmune Neutropenia: Cause or Coincidence?

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CCMV) accounts for high rates of infant morbidity and mortality. Neutropenia is a common finding in CCMV infection, of which the age of presentation overlaps with autoimmune neutropenia (AIN). AIN represents one of the most common forms of chronic neutropenia in childhood.

Methotrexate exposure and risk of strongyloidiasis.

Objective: Rheumatologic disease patients receiving immunomodulating drugs such as methotrexate (MTX) have increased infection rates. Strongyloides, a global endemic intestinal parasite, can cause significant or fatal disease in immunocompromised patients. The risk of serious Strongyloides infection with MTX dosed for rheumatologic disease is unknown.

The impact of vitamin D supplementation on musculoskeletal health outcomes in children, adolescents, and young adults living with HIV: A systematic review.

Objective: HIV-positive children, adolescents, and young adults are at increased risk poor musculoskeletal outcomes. Increased incidence of vitamin D deficiency in youth living with HIV may further adversely affect musculoskeletal health. We investigated the impact of vitamin D supplementation on a range of musculoskeletal outcomes among individuals aged 0-25 years living with HIV.

Frontal and temporal cortical volume, white matter tract integrity, and hemispheric asymmetry in schizotypal personality disorder.

Abnormalities in temporal and frontal cortical volume, white matter tract integrity, and hemispheric asymmetry have been implicated in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Schizotypal personality disorder can provide insight into vulnerability and protective factors in these disorders without the confounds associated with chronic psychosis. However, multimodal imaging and asymmetry studies in SPD are sparse.

Prenatal exposure to maternal infection and executive dysfunction in adult schizophrenia.

Objective: Executive dysfunction is one of the most prominent and functionally important cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Although strong associations have been identified between executive impairments and structural and functional prefrontal cortical deficits, the etiological factors that contribute to disruption of this important cognitive domain remain unclear. Increasing evidence suggests that schizophrenia has a neurodevelopmental etiology, and several prenatal infections have been associated with risk of this disorder.

Prenatal infection and cavum septum pellucidum in adult schizophrenia.

Increased length of the cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and in utero infection are each associated with increased risk of schizophrenia. Hence, we examined whether prenatal infections are related to CSP length in schizophrenia patients. In a well-characterized birth cohort, in utero infection was assessed using serologic biomarkers or physician diagnoses.

Prenatal infectious and nutritional factors and risk of adult schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a severely disabling psychiatric disorder. Despite a considerable amount of research on the underpinnings of the disorder, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown. In utero exposures, including infection and nutritional deficiencies, are emerging important risk factors for schizophrenia, in which neurodevelopmental influences probably play an important role.