An analysis of the efficacy of universal PCR and BACTEC 9120 BD for identifying bacteremia in pediatrics.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are serious diseases in pediatrics and can increase the rate of morbidity and mortality. Blood culture is time consuming and can have false negative results in some case such as the intracellular or fastidious bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the PCR against automated blood culture with BACTEC.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric bloodstream infections and alteration in antimicrobial resistance phenotypes in Gram-positive bacteria, 2020-2022.

Background: Alteration in the etiology of pediatric bloodstream infections (BSIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not well known during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric BSIs and alteration in antimicrobial resistance phenotypes in Gram-positive bacteria.

Methods: The frequency of BSIs among children under 18 years old was retrospectively recorded in a tertiary children's hospital in Tehran, Iran from February 2020 to December 2022.

The Frequency of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children from West of Iran and Genotyping of Rotavirus Isolates: A Suggestion for Further Changes in Childhood Immunization Program.

Background: Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis among children. Currently, four oral live-attenuated vaccines are available to prevent rotavirus infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended including rotavirus vaccination in national immunization programs; however, it has not been introduced to the Iranian national immunization program.

Comparative analysis of the RVA VP7 and VP4 antigenic epitopes circulating in Iran and the Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines.

Analyzing the lineages and detecting antigenic variation in immunogenic motifs of Group A Rotavirus (RVA) variants is crucial because it can impact vaccine efficacy. This study investigated the circulating lineages of VP4 and VP7 proteins of human RVA isolates and their phylogeny in ≤24-month-old symptomatic, rotavirus-positive children with transudative diarrhea within 48 h of admission to Mofid Children's Hospital between December 2020 and March 2022 in Tehran, Iran. Antigen detection was performed by ELISA, RNA extraction, and semi-nested multiplex PCR for G/P genotypes, followed by sequencing and bioinformatic analysis using multiple sequence alignments in MEGA and phylogenetic analysis by Geneious Prime.

Characterization of genes involved in the iron acquisition system of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Background: The high prevalence of virulence-associated genes observed in isolates underscores the pathogenic potential of this bacterium. The presence of these genes confers enhanced survival, evasion of host defenses, and increased virulence. In this study, we investigate the presence and distribution of genes associated with virulence and assess the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in clinical isolates of .

Determining the coverage and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccination program at the community level in children aged 12 to 17 in Tehran.

Background: The vaccination is one of the acceptable and recomended solution to prevent and control of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sinopharm vaccination in children aged 12-17 in Tehran.

Methods: The case population study was performed from October 2021 to March 2022 among 1,500 children with positive PCR test reffered in Mofid Children's Hospital in Tehran.

Unleashing the potential of gene signatures as prognostic and predictive tools: A step closer to personalized medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the growing malignancies globally, affecting a myriad of people and causing numerous cancer-related deaths. Despite therapeutic improvements in treatment strategies over the past decades, HCC still remains one of the leading causes of person-years of life lost. Numerous studies have been conducted to assess the characteristics of HCC with the aim of predicting its prognosis and responsiveness to treatment.

Multicenter Study of Rotavirus Infection, Diversity of Circulating Genotypes and Clinical Outcomes in Children ≤5 Years Old in Iran.

Background: To determine the epidemiology of rotavirus group A (RVA) infection in symptomatic children, and analyze genotype diversity in association with clinical characteristics, geographical and seasonal changes.

Methods: The stool samples of symptomatic children 5≥ years old were collected from 5 different hospitals during December 2020 and March 2022. Rotavirus stool antigen test was done and G and P genotypes of the positive samples were determined.

Evaluation of Covid-19 anti-spike IgG antibody five months after the second Covid-19 vaccination.

Background: Studies in different communities have shown significant differences in IgG antibody titers in the time period after the first and second doses of the vaccines. This study aimed to serologically evaluate the IgG anti-spike antibody titer five months after injection of the second COVID-19 vaccine in healthcare workers.

Materials And Method: This study was performed in healthcare personnel for whom five months had passed since their second anti-Covid-19 vaccination.

Sequence-type diversity of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Iran among children under 15 years of age.

Background: Infection with viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens can lead to inflammation of the meninges. Finding the pathogen and identifying the most common type is necessary for each country. Using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), the aim of this study was to determine the genetic relationship among isolated from CSF in children with bacterial meningitis.

The Radiological Manifestations of Phagocytic Primary Immunodeficiencies in Children.

Primary immunodeficiencies are a diverse group of rare genetic disorders, among which phagocytic dysfunction impairs neutrophil function in a wide range of inherited disorders. Due to the heterogeneity of the disorders a multidisciplinary approach is often required for early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the imaging findings in children admitted with phagocytic primary immunodeficiencies.

Clinical Course, Therapeutic Management and Outcome of Coronavirus Disease in Patients With Inborn Errors of Immunity: A Retrospective Multicenter Experience From Iran.

Background: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are characterized by defects in the structure and function of the immune system. This study was designed to assess the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on this potentially particularly susceptible group of patients.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed patients from 3 referral immunodeficiency centers in Iran.

The intestinal carrier status of Enterococcus spp. in children: clonal diversity and alterations in resistance phenotypes before and after admission to a pediatric intensive care unit.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the intestinal carrier status of Enterococcus spp. among children in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and reveal the role of hospitalization in the alteration of resistance phenotypes and clonal diversity of the isolates during admission and discharge periods.

Methods: Two separate stool samples were collected from hospitalized patients in the pediatric intensive care unit at admission and discharge times.

Endogenous Bacteremia Caused by Intestinal Colonization of Carbapenem-Resistant (CR) in Immunocompromised Children.

Objective: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CR) infection is life-threatening, especially for immunocompromised children. The source tracking of CR could prevent bacteremia during hospitalization. In this study, the intestinal colonization of CR and their translocation to blood were investigated.

Seroepidemiological and Molecular Survey for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Children in Iran, September 2020 to June 2021: 1-Year Cross-Sectional Study.

A population-based seroepidemiological and molecular survey on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was performed to detect induced antibodies to prior exposure and active infection of children aged 14 years or less in Tehran between 19 September 2020 and 21 June 2021. Moreover, correlations between the children's demographic data and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms with the infection status were investigated. Out of 1517 participants, cardinal symptoms of COVID-19 (fever > 38 °C and/or cough and/or diarrhea) were detected in 18%, and serological history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity were confirmed in 33.

JAGN1 mutation with distinct clinical features; two case reports and literature review.

Jagunal homolog 1 (JAGN1) has been recognized as an essential protein in neutrophil function. The mutated JAGN1 is responsible for immunodeficiency related to innate and humoral defense mechanisms. This deficiency impairs neutrophil development and function, leading to recurrent infections and facial dysmorphism as phenotypic consequences of severe congenital neutropenia (SCN).

A rare immunological disease, caspase 8 deficiency: case report and literature review.

Background: Caspase-8 is a molecule in the FAS pathway that initiates apoptosis. One of the rarest autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndromes is caspase-8 deficiency. Immunodeficiency, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy are the common symptoms of this condition.

New Presentation of CD27 Deficiency; Coronary Ectasia and COVID-19.

CD27 is a costimulatory receptor involved in the maturation of the innate and adaptive immunity. CD27, through interaction with CD70, plays a role in the control of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. CD27 deficiency leads to an immune dysregulation disease characterized by EBV susceptibility.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

Carbapenem is a broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic considered the last choice for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Thus, the increasing rate of carbapenem resistance (CR) in Enterobacteriaceae is an urgent public health threat. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of carbapenem-resistant (CRE) to new and old antibiotics.

A Single-Centered Cohort Study on Favipiravir Safety and Efficacy in Pediatric Patients with COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the pediatric population.

Objectives: Due to limited data, this study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of favipiravir in the hospitalized pediatric population diagnosed with COVID-19.

Methods: The present retrospective cohort study was conducted on pediatric patients aged 1 - 18 years with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to Mofid Children's Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Intestinal colonization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus in children admitted to Mofid children's hospital intensive care unit at admission and at discharge.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of intestinal colonization by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) carrying vanA and vanB genes in patients at ICU admission and at discharge from ICU in Mofid children's Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Method: Sampling was performed using rectal swabs and vancomycin susceptibility testing for Enterococcus spp. was carried out using a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay on Muller Hinton Agar (MHA) medium using an E-test kit.

Tracing the Negative Results of Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Diagnosis of Bacterial Pediatrics Meningitis.

The death because of meningitis remains high in some parts of the world. It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause. This study aimed to trace the false-negative results of multiplex RT-PCR to detect , , and serogroup by two different molecular methods.

Assessment of early and post COVID-19 vaccination antibody response in healthcare workers: a multicentre cross-sectional study on inactivated, mRNA and vector-based vaccines.

In this multicentre study, we compared the status of antibody production in healthcare personnel (HCP) before and after vaccination using different brands of COVID-19 vaccines between March 2021 and September 2021. Out of a total of 962 HCP enrolled in our study, the antibody against the S1 domain of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 48.3%, 95.

Evaluation of methicillin-resistant virulence genes and antibiotics susceptibility in Iranian population.

Background: Methicillin resistance (MRSA) is one most important pathogens for human health. The ability of this organism for producing different kinds of disease is related to its virulence gene. The frequency of hemolysin alpha (hla), hemolysin beta (hlb), and exfoliative toxin A (eta) virulence genes of MRSA was evaluated, and the association of these genes with antibiotics susceptibility was investigated.