Primary sternal osteomyelitis: a report of two cases with literature review.

Primary sternal osteomyelitis is a rare disease in children caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus. We describe 2 cases resulting from Streptococcus pneumonia and Candida albicans. On the basis of these cases and other documented case reports, we discuss the pathogens, clinical course, and pathophysiology and suggest a management protocol based on early debridement to initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy and shorten hospitalization.

[PCR testing for Bordetella pertussis in household contacts as a diagnostic tool for atypical whooping cough in unvaccinated young infants].

Introduction: False-negative findings of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genuine pertussis as well as the numerous atypical forms of whooping cough make it difficult to diagnose this disease in young babies.

Methods: For two years, real-time PCR was performed to test for Bordetella pertussis in 86 infants younger than 6 months hospitalized for apnea or paroxysmal and/or vomiting cough and in 205 of their household contacts, whether or not they coughed.

Results: Group 1 included 30 infants for whom PCR detected B.

[Respiratory syncytial virus in hospitalized children. A 3-year study].

Objective: To assess the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other important respiratory viruses in children hospitalized in a pediatric hospital in Paris (France) during a 3-year period (2001 to 2004).

Patients And Methods: The study included all patients aged 8 days to 16 years admitted from the community through emergency department with bronchiolitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection, asthma or acute isolated fever and who had nasopharyngeal samples taken for viral identification by immunofluorescence (RSV, influenza, para-influenza, and adenoviruses).

Results: A virus was found in 464 of 1208 patients with samples taken.

The burden of respiratory viral disease in hospitalized children in Paris.

A virus was identified in 464 out of 1,212 patients, 8 days to 16 years of age, who were admitted to the hospital in Paris during a 3 year period. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was found in 428 patients, 74% were younger than 6 months with bronchiolitis, and 6% were older than 2 years. RSV was the first virus isolated in all patients and in those with pneumonia or asthma.