Rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of antibiotic linezolid on dried blood spot.

Linezolid is a new drug from the oxazolidinone class of antibiotics used against mycobacteria and multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-positive bacterial infections, which may are also glycopeptide-resistant. The drug usage in pediatric age needs an accurate drug monitoring for effective patient management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of dried blood spot (DBS) specimens to determinate linezolid levels during treatment.

Development of an UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of antibiotic ertapenem on dried blood spots.

Ertapenem (Invanz) is a newly developed carbapenem β-lactam antimicrobial agent. The drug usage in pediatric age needs an accurate drug monitoring for effective patient management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of dried blood spot (DBS) specimens to measure ertapenem concentration during treatment.

Use of linezolid in infants and children: a retrospective multicentre study of the Italian Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases.

Objectives: Because of the spread of drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, the use of linezolid for treating severe infections is increasing. However, clinical experience in the paediatric population is still limited. We undertook a multicentre study to analyse the use of linezolid in children.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease causing fever of unknown origin in a nine-year-old boy.

We describe a case of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in a 9-y-old boy finally diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) and discuss the implications for the management of FUO in children. KFD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with FUO to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Your diagnosis? A 12-year-old girl with latent tuberculosis presenting with nausea, vomiting and increasing frontal headache.

A 12-year-old girl with latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and currently receiving prophylaxis with isoniazid presented with nausea, vomiting and increasing frontal headache. Toxicity to the anti-tuberculosis drug was suspected, but her symptoms persisted after isoniazid withdrawal. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a brain mass to be present.