Association of clinical and epidemiological characteristics with COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine short-term adverse reactions in healthcare workers.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of adverse reactions (ARs) after immunization of healthcare workers (HCWs) with BNT162b2 vaccine and to associate them with clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Methods: A form containing demographic and clinical data as well as ARs after both doses of the vaccine was completed, and statistical association analysis was performed.

Results: A total of 502 HCWs (females 78.

SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiological study in healthcare workers and discordant results using seven different diagnostic methods.

The aim of the study was to access the SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in healthcare workers (HCWs) of a tertiary pediatric hospital after the first wave of the pandemic and to compare the results among seven commercially available antibody detection assays, including chemiluminescence (CMIA), electroluminescence (ECLIA), Εnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and rapid immunochromatography (RIC). SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection was performed in serum samples of 1216 HCWs, using a reference CMIA assay and 8/1216 (0.66%) were detected positive.

Characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19A isolates from children in the pre and post Conjugate Vaccine Era. Single center experience 1986-2015.

Background: The present study assessed the prevalence and characteristics of S. pneumoniae serotype 19A isolates from children with pneumococcal disease (PD), before and since introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in Greece.

Methods: S.

Detection of bacterial pathogens in synovial and pleural fluid with the FilmArray Blood Culture Identification System.

We report the use of FilmArray Blood Culture Identification (BCID) multiplex PCR system for pathogen detection from a child with septic arthritis that Streptococcus pyogenes was identified directly from synovial fluid and a child with complicated pneumonia with pleural effusion that Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified from pleural fluid.

A Case-Control Study on the Risk Factors for Meningococcal Disease among Children in Greece.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify environmental or genetic risk factors that are associated with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in children in Greece.

Methods: A case-control study was performed in 133 children (44 cases and 89 controls) aged between 0-14 years, who were hospitalized in a children's hospital in Athens. Demographics and possible risk factors were collected by the use of a structured questionnaire.

Molecular analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes macrolide resistance of paediatric isolates during a 7 year period (2007-13).

Objectives: The molecular characterization of paediatric group A Streptococcus (GAS) isolates regarding macrolide resistance and relevant emm types in Athens, Greece.

Methods: Pharyngeal and non-pharyngeal GAS isolates were collected during a 7 year period (2007-13) and examined for antibiotic susceptibility, macrolide resistance genes [mef(A), erm(A) and erm(B)] and relevant emm types.

Results: Overall, 20.

Clinical Experience with Daptomycin for the Treatment of Gram-positive Infections in Children and Adolescents.

Background: This subgroup analysis of the European Cubicin Outcomes Registry Experience evaluated the safety and effectiveness of daptomycin in children and adolescent patients (<18 years).

Methods: Clinical outcomes at the end of therapy were assessed as success (cured or improved), failure or nonevaluable. Safety was assessed for up to 30 days post treatment.

Pneumococcal Mastoiditis in Children Before and After the Introduction of Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccines.

Objectives: To determine whether serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae acute mastoiditis (AM) in children have changed in the post pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) era.

Methods: Medical records of pneumococcal AM cases, in a tertiary pediatric hospital were reviewed from January 1999 to December 2014. S.

Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in a Neonatal Unit of a Greek Tertiary Hospital: Clinical Characteristics and Genotypes.

Introduction: Rotavirus (RV) infection in neonatal age can be mild or even asymptomatic. Several studies have reported that RV is responsible for 31%-87% of pediatric nosocomial diarrhea and causes gastroenteritis outbreaks in pediatric and neonatal units.

Objectives: Study clinical characteristics, genotypes and risk factors of RV infection in neonatal age.

Clinical Applications of Procalcitonin in Pediatrics: An Advanced Biomarker for Inflammation and Infection-Can It Also Be Used in Trauma?

Background. Procalcitonin is a small molecular peptide that has gained increased support as an adjunct diagnostic marker of infection in the adult population; the concordant body of evidence for the use of procalcitonin in pediatric populations is far less complete. Objectives.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping of cutaneous warts in Greek children.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) infects the squamous epithelium of the skin and produces common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts, which occur commonly on the hands, face, and feet. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of HPV in warts in children in order to associate the virus with the disease. Sixty-eight children with clinically diagnosed cutaneous warts were recruited.

Teeth and tongue discoloration after linezolid treatment in children.

We describe 3 children who developed teeth and tongue discoloration while receiving intravenous linezolid for 2 to 3 weeks. Linezolid was coadministered with piperacillin-tazobactam or meropenem. Teeth and tongue discoloration was reversible with dental cleaning after discontinuation of linezolid.

Pasteurella multocida Infection in a neonate: evidence for a human-to-human horizontal transmission.

Pasteurella multocida is usually transmitted by animal contact; however, in a significant proportion of cases, no animal exposure can be identified. Although vertical transmission has been identified in neonates, horizontal human-to-human spread has not been documented. A case of neonatal sepsis and meningitis resulting from horizontal transmission of P.

Respiratory viruses involved in influenza-like illness in a Greek pediatric population during the winter period of the years 2005-2008.

Viruses are the major cause of pediatric respiratory tract infection and yet many suspected cases of illness remain uncharacterized. This study aimed to determine the distribution of several respiratory viruses in children diagnosed as having influenza-like illness, over the winter period of 2005-2008. Molecular assays including conventional and real time PCR protocols, were employed to screen respiratory specimens, collected by clinicians of the Influenza sentinel system and of outpatient pediatric clinics, for identification of several respiratory viruses.

Evaluation of potential medical and economic benefits of universal rotavirus vaccination in Greece.

Aim: To evaluate the potential benefits of introducing universal rotavirus (RV) vaccination in Greece.

Methods: A decision analytic model was developed to compare the burden and cost of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) with and without a universal RV vaccination (88% vaccination coverage) for a cohort of children followed from birth until the age of five.

Results: Universal RV vaccination would substantially decrease the RVGE burden on the National Health System by reducing RVGE-related hospitalizations/emergency visits and medical consultations by 83% and 75%, respectively.

Frequency, clinical characteristics, and genotype distribution of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Greece (2007-2008).

Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among young children worldwide. A prospective multi-center study was conducted (2007-2008) in five Pediatric Hospitals to determine the prevalence, the clinical characteristics, and genotype distribution of rotavirus infection in Greece. Faecal samples were examined for the presence of group A rotavirus antigen by immunochromatography.

Febrile seizures and primary human herpesvirus 6 infection.

Primary human herpesvirus 6 infection is acquired mainly during the first two years of life and is often associated with febrile seizures. The aim of the present study was to investigate in Greece the frequency and clinical characteristics of primary human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection in hospitalized children with febrile seizures. Children aged from 6 months to 5 years without known neurologic disease were examined for primary HHV-6 infection, by real-time polymerase chain reaction in acute-phase plasma and by indirect immunofluorescent assay for antibody titers in acute and convalescent serum.

Changing pattern in the clinical presentation of pediatric celiac disease: a 30-year study.

Background/aims: The incidence of celiac disease (CD) has increased in recent years due to the recognition of atypical forms and the identification of silent cases through serological screening. Our aim was to detect temporal trends in the presentation of pediatric CD in Greece.

Methods: We reviewed the medical files of all children diagnosed with CD between 1978 and 2007 at a single academic pediatric center.

Inflammatory bowel disease in children: the role of a positive family history.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate any potential influence of a family history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on the clinical phenotypes and the course of IBD in children.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the notes of 411 children with the diagnosis of IBD, 244 (59.4%) with ulcerative colitis, 129 (31.

Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes: prevalence, resistance determinants, and emm types.

To investigate the antimicrobial resistance trends and the distribution of emm types of group A streptococci (GAS), we examined 1160 clinical isolates of GAS collected between 2003 and 2006. Susceptibilities to commonly used antimicrobial agents were determined by Etest, and macrolide resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). GAS isolates were typed by polymerase chain reaction PCR and sequencing of emm gene.

Intrafamilial spread of Helicobacter pylori infection in Greece.

Goal: To find out the role of family members in the Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood by investigating the incidence of infection within families of H. pylori-infected children.

Background: H.

Wilson disease in children: analysis of 57 cases.

Objectives: Wilson disease (WD) has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Affected children may be entirely asymptomatic and the diagnosis problematic. Herein we present the clinical and laboratory characteristics of 57 children with WD and point out the diagnostic difficulties in a pediatric population.

Evolution of macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates in the prevaccine era.

Six hundred twelve invasive and noninvasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were examined. Serogrouping was performed by the latex agglutination test and serotyping by the quellung reaction. Susceptibilities to macrolides were determined by Etest.