Procalcitonin guidance to reduce antibiotic treatment of lower respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents (ProPAED): a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Antibiotics are overused in children and adolescents with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Serum-procalcitonin (PCT) can be used to guide treatment when bacterial infection is suspected. Its role in pediatric LRTI is unclear.

Successful hepatitis B immunization in non- and low responding health care workers.

Health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk for acquisition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from occupational exposure. This can be prevented by active immunization. We performed a retrospective chart review of HCW who were persistent low (anti-HBs antibody values <100 U/L) or non responders (<10 U/L) after 6 active immunizations and demonstrate successful immunization (anti-HBs ≥100 U/l) after a total of 8-14 vaccine doses in 13 such HCW by use of various vaccination schedules.