Genetics of Primary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) constitutes a rare, potentially life-threatening hyperinflammatory immune dysregulation syndrome that can present with a variety of clinical signs and symptoms, including fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and abnormal laboratory and immunological findings such as cytopenias, hyperferritinemia, hypofibrinogenemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated blood levels of soluble CD25 (interleukin (IL)-2 receptor α-chain), or diminished natural killer (NK)-cell cytotoxicity (reviewed in detail in Chapter 11 of this book). While HLH can be triggered by an inciting event (e.g.

Fifteen-minute consultation: a guide to paediatric major haemorrhage.

Major trauma is a principal cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Severe haemorrhage is the second-leading cause of death in paediatric trauma, preceded by traumatic brain injury. Major haemorrhage protocols (MHPs), also known as 'code red' and 'massive transfusion protocols', are used to make large volumes of blood products rapidly available.

study on the transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria from textiles to pig skin.

Background: The survival of microorganisms on textiles and specifically on healthcare professionals' (HCP) attire has been demonstrated in several studies. The ability of microorganisms to adhere and remain on textiles for up to hours or days raises questions as to their possible role in transmission from textile to skin HCP to patients.

Aim: To evaluate the presence, survival and transmission of different multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) from HCP attire onto skin.

Antibiotic Use for Common Infections in Pediatric Emergency Departments: A Narrative Review.

Antibiotics are one of the most prescribed medications in pediatric emergency departments. Antimicrobial stewardship programs assist in the reduction of antibiotic use in pediatric patients. However, the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship programs in pediatric EDs remains challenging.

Medical students' attitudes and perceptions of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Cyprus.

Introduction: Infectious diseases constitute a significant problem globally and healthcare professionals (HCP) show suboptimal vaccination rates. We aimed to evaluate the determinants affecting vaccination against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 among medical students in Cyprus.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on a self-reported, anonymous questionnaire that was sent to all medical students of two Medical Schools in the Republic of Cyprus.

Infection Prevention and Control: Practical and Educational Advances.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is associated with improved healthcare, better quality of life and cost-effectiveness in disease prevention [...

tumors, but not tumor-derived cell lines, are adrenergic lineage, GD2+, and responsive to anti-GD2 antibody therapy.

Neuroblastoma is a commonly lethal solid tumor of childhood and intensive chemoradiotherapy treatment cures ~50% of children with high-risk disease. The addition of immunotherapy using dinutuximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the GD2 disialoganglioside expressed on neuroblasts, improves survival when incorporated into front-line therapy and shows robust activity in regressing relapsed disease when combined with chemotherapy. Still, many children succumb to neuroblastoma progression despite receiving dinutuximab-based immunotherapy, and efforts to counteract the immune suppressive signals responsible are warranted.

A systematic review of using flexible bronchoscopy to remove foreign bodies from paediatric patients.

Aim: Our aim was to summarise the evidence about flexible bronchoscopy for paediatric airway foreign body aspiration cases.

Methods: We searched the PubMed database from 1 January 2001 to 9 October 2021 for peer-review papers published in English on the use, and success rates, of flexible bronchoscopy as the first-line treatment for foreign body aspiration cases. This process identified 243 potential papers.

Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria on Healthcare Workers' Uniforms in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities in Cyprus.

Healthcare workers' (HCW) clothing has been shown to harbor multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) and may contribute to transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate presence of MDRB on HCW uniforms in Cyprus. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 9 hospital wards and 7 long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Nicosia, Cyprus, from April-August 2019.

Myocarditis in a Pediatric Patient with Enteritis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Myocarditis represents a potential complication of various infectious and noninfectious agents and a common diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Data regarding -associated myocarditis are limited. Here, a case of a 13-year-old female with jejuni gastroenteritis complicated by myocarditis is presented, followed by a literature review in order to retrieve information about -associated carditis in the pediatric population.

Antifungal activity of amniotic fluid against different Candida species.

Background: Although Candida is a commensal of the urogenital tract, intrauterine fungal infections are extremely uncommon in clinical practice.

Aims: In the present work we evaluated whether amniotic fluid (AF) possesses direct antifungal activity against clinical isolates of Candidaalbicans and other Candida species.

Methods: A total of 23 AF samples from pregnant women with gestational age of 38-41 weeks were obtained under aseptic conditions by the aspiration of the amniotic sac during cesarean section.

Presence of Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) on Healthcare Workers' Attire: A Systematic Review.

Contaminated healthcare workers' (HCW) clothing risk transferring methicillin-resistant (MRSA) in healthcare facilities. We performed a systematic review in Pubmed and Scopus for 2000-2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to analyze evidence of MRSA on HCW attire. The primary study outcome was MRSA isolation rates on HCW clothing in healthcare settings.

Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance: Public Awareness Survey in the Republic of Cyprus.

We aimed to assess the knowledge and understanding of antibiotic use and resistance in the general population of Cyprus, in order to inform future antibiotic awareness campaigns with local evidence. Cross-sectional survey following the methodology of the "Antibiotic resistance: Multi-country public awareness survey" of the World Health Organization, during December 2019-January 2020. A total of 614 respondents participated: 64.

Enhancing Neuroblastoma Immunotherapies by Engaging iNKT and NK Cells.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and, in the high-risk group, has a 5-year mortality rate of ~50%. The high mortality rate and significant treatment-related morbidities associated with current standard of care therapies belie the critical need for more tolerable and effective treatments for this disease. While the monoclonal antibody dinutuximab has demonstrated the potential for immunotherapy to improve overall NB outcomes, the 5-year overall survival of high-risk patients has not yet substantially changed.

The association of acute kidney injury with the concomitant use of vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Concomitant use of vancomycin plus piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) has been associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized adults. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed and EMBASE for pediatric studies examining this hypothesis, with reference to vancomycin monotherapy or in combination with another beta-lactam antibiotic. Out of 1381 non-duplicate studies, 10 met our inclusion criteria.

MRSA colonization and acquisition in the burn unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most commonly encountered bacteria in the burn unit. In order to investigate the magnitude of this challenge, we assessed the prevalence of MRSA colonization on admission and the incidence of MRSA acquisition within burn units.

Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies reporting MRSA colonization among patients admitted in burn units.

Intravenous colistin use for infections due to MDR Gram-negative bacilli in critically ill paediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Data are limited regarding the clinical effectiveness and safety of intravenous colistin for treatment of infections due to MDR Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) in paediatric ICUs (PICUs).

Methods: Systematic review of intravenous colistin use in critically ill paediatric patients with MDR-GNB infection in PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE (up to 31 January 2018).

Results: Out of 1181 citations, 7 studies were included on the use of intravenous colistin for 405 patients in PICUs.

Hospital-Acquired Hyponatremia in Children Following Hypotonic versus Isotonic Intravenous Fluids Infusion.

Hypotonic solutions have been used in pediatrics for maintenance of intravenous (IV) hydration. However, recent randomized control trials and cohort studies have raised significant concerns for association with hospital-acquired hyponatremia (HAH). The study aimed to assess whether the use of hypotonic parenteral solutions (PS) compared with isotonic PS is associated with increased HAH risk in children with common pediatric conditions.

Long-term change in incidence and risk factors of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Crete, Greece: a 25-year study.

Background: No sequential long-term data exist for Greece on the etiological evolution and incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we studied their etiological evolution over a period of 25 years in the island of Crete.

Methods: We studied 812 cases of cirrhosis (561 male, median age 69 years) and 321 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (234 male, median age 70 years) from the database of our Center.

Factors Associated with HIV Testing and HIV Treatment Adherence: A Systematic Review.

Background: The impact of the global economic crisis on HIV-related access and care remains unclear. The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors and HIV diagnosis, and adherence to treatment, following the 2008 global economic crisis.

Method: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus for studies published between January 2008 and October 2016 was conducted.

Clinical characteristics, microbiology and outcomes of external ventricular drainage-associated infections: The importance of active treatment.

Data concerning clinical characteristics, microbiology, treatment and outcomes of external ventricular drainage-associated infections (EVDAI) are limited. All hospitalized patients with EVDAI in a University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2015 were retrospective recorded. Only the first episode per patient was included.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonisation, risk factors and risk for infection among hospitalised paediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to estimate the rate and significance of colonisation with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) among hospitalised children. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were systematically searched (last accessed on 29 May 2016) to identify studies evaluating VRE colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract of hospitalised children in non-outbreak periods. Of 945 non-duplicate citations, 19 studies enrolling 20 234 children were included.