Bacterial colonization patterns in neonates transferred from neonatal intensive care units.

After an outbreak with Enterobacter cloacae we decided to routinely nurse all neonates in isolation who were transferred from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to the neonatal unit of the Diakonessenhuis until cultures for MRSA and antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria were negative. The goal of this study was to determine (1) the colonization patterns with (antibiotic-resistant) bacteria; (2) whether there is a trend in time and (3) to identify predictors for colonization. Neonates from 2001 till 2006 transferred from a NICU to our neonatal unit were included.

Seasonality of long term wheezing following respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection.

Background: It is well known that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is associated with subsequent wheezing episodes, but the precise natural course of wheezing following RSV LRTI is not known. This study aimed to determine the continuous development of wheezing following RSV LRTI in children up to the age of 3 years.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in 140 hospitalised infants with RSV LRTI.

Diagnosis of enterovirus infection in the first 2 months of life by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

During summer and fall, enterovirus infections are responsible for a considerable proportion of hospitalizations of young infants. We prospectively studied the incidence of enterovirus infections via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in blood, feces, and cerebrospinal fluid samples from infants View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Natural reinfection with respiratory syncytial virus does not boost virus-specific T-cell immunity.

To determine the role of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-specific cell-mediated immunity during natural reinfection, we investigated whether RSV-specific T-cell responses protect against reinfection and, subsequently, whether reinfection boosts virus-specific memory. In a cohort of 55 infants who were hospitalized for RSV bronchiolitis, RSV-specific lymphoproliferative responses in the peripheral blood were measured at three time-points: on admission, 4 wk after admission, and 1 y later, after the second winter season. Memory was defined as a stimulation index (SI) >2.

Local interferon-gamma levels during respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection are associated with disease severity.

To investigate the role of cell-mediated immunity during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-10 levels in nasopharyngeal secretions were measured in infants with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by RSV. A novel technique was used to measure in vivo cytokine levels in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs). Cytokine levels in the NPAs of 17 mechanically ventilated infants and 43 nonventilated hospitalized infants were compared.

Airflow limitation during respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection predicts recurrent wheezing.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is frequently followed by recurrent wheezing. Thus far no clinical risk factors have been identified to predict which infants will have wheezing episodes subsequent to RSV LRTI.

Objective: To determine clinical predictors for airway morbidity after RSV LRTI.