Evaluation of colonization index and (1,3)- ß- D glucan as diagnostic tools of invasive candidiasis in a pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the corrected colonization index (CCI) and (1, 3)-ß-D Glucan (BDG) in diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis (IC) in critically ill pediatric patients.

Methods: A prospective observational study in a tertiary care (PICU) were surveyed for Candida colonization and CCI was calculated. For cases with suspicious clinical presentation, samples were cultured, and double(1,3) ß-D- glucan (BDG) performed.

Comparison of a Point-of-Care FilmArray Test to Standard-of-Care Microbiology Test in Diagnosis of Healthcare Associated Infections in a Tertiary Care Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Rapid and accurate identification of healthcare associated pathogens is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of infections. This study aimed to assess the performance of a point-of-care multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in diagnosis of pathogens and their antibiotic resistance genes in bloodstream infections, pneumonia and meningitis/encephalitis in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric patients diagnosed with healthcare associated infections at Alexandria University PICU, Egypt.

Respiratory viruses associated with severe mechanically ventilated pneumonia in children.

The burden of pneumonia, especially that caused by respiratory viruses, is markedly high in the pediatric age group. This study aimed to assess viral agents causing severe pneumonia among mechanically ventilated patients. Nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for pediatric patients having severe pneumonia indicated for mechanical ventilation to be tested with a multiplex PCR immediate diagnosis of their etiologic pathogen.

A Pilot Study to Assess Transfusion Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus.

Alexandria University blood bank adopted double screening tests: a fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay followed by nucleic acid testing. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of dual check of HCV in preventing transfusion related infection among patients admitted to PICU. A prospective cohort study was carried on patients admitted to PICU during 6 months.

Bacteriologic profile and susceptibility pattern of mechanically ventilated paediatric patients with pneumonia.

Aim: Due to the current widespread bacterial resistance to many antibiotics - especially extended-spectrum β-lactams, carbapenems, and anti-pseudomonal drugs - therapy for severe pneumonia is very challenging. This study aimed to assess antimicrobial sensitivity patterns and optimisation of the antibiotic stewardship program applied at a university-affiliated paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Subjects And Methods: This prospective cohort study included all patients aged 1 month to 12 years, admitted to the PICU with severe pneumonia episodes indicated for mechanical ventilation, and were followed up and investigated.

Association of lactate/albumin ratio level to organ failure and mortality in severe sepsis in a pediatric intensive care unit in Egypt.

Moustafa AA, Antonios MAM, Abdellatif EM, Hussain AH. Association of lactate/albumin ratio level to organ failure and mortality in severe sepsis in a pediatric intensive care unit in Egypt. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 691-701.

Prevalence and risk factors of pneumothorax among patients admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Pneumothorax should be considered a medical emergency and requires a high index of suspicion and prompt recognition and intervention.

Aims: The objective of the study was to evaluate cases developing pneumothorax following admission to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) over a 5-year period.

Settings And Design: Case notes of all PICU patients (n = 1298) were reviewed, revealing that 135 cases (10.