Sixteen years of evolution of human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup A in Buenos Aires, Argentina: GA2 the prevalent genotype through the years.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the main viral cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children worldwide. In recent years, several preclinical trials with vaccine candidates have been reported. It is in this sense that molecular epidemiological studies become important.

Analysis of Epstein-Barr virus infection models in a series of pediatric carriers from a developing country.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a B lymphotropic human herpesvirus. Two models, germinal center (GC) and direct infection, describe how EBV infects B-cells. Since in Argentina primary infection is mostly subclinical at young ages, children represent an interesting population where to analyze EBV infection, especially considering that most studies are usually performed in adults.

Phylogenetic and molecular analyses of human parainfluenza type 3 virus in Buenos Aires, Argentina, between 2009 and 2013: The emergence of new genetic lineages.

Despite that human parainfluenza type 3 viruses (HPIV3) are one of the leading causes of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children under five, there is no licensed vaccine and there is limited current information on the molecular characteristics of regional and global circulating strains. The aim of this study was to describe the molecular characterization of HPIV3 circulating in Buenos Aires. We performed a genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the HN glycoprotein gene.

Urban Chagas disease in children and women in primary care centres in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of this disease in women of childbearing age and children treated at health centres in underserviced areas of the city of Buenos Aires. Demographic and Chagas disease status data were collected. Samples for Chagas disease serology were obtained on filter paper and the reactive results were confirmed with conventional samples.

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Children: Prevalence and Predictors in a Large Cohort with Thyroid Nodules Followed Prospectively.

We retrospectively analyzed the findings of a prospective cohort of 75 children referred for thyroid nodules between 2008 and 2013. Prevalence of papillary differentiated thyroid carcinoma was 18.7%.

Prevention of congenital Chagas through treatment of girls and women of childbearing age.

It is currently unknown whether treatment of Chagas disease decreases the risk of congenital transmission from previously treated mothers to their infants. In a cohort of women with Chagas disease previously treated with benznidazole, no congenital transmission of the disease was observed in their newborns. This finding provides support for the treatment of Chagas disease as early as possible.

Modeling the long-term persistence of hepatitis A antibody after a two-dose vaccination schedule in Argentinean children.

Background: Long-term seroprotection data are essential for decision-making on the need and timing of vaccine boosters. Based on data from longitudinal serological studies, modeling can provide estimates on long-term antibody persistence and inform such decision-making.

Methods: We examined long-term anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) antibody persistence in Argentinean children ≤15 years after the initial study where they completed a 2-dose course of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (Avaxim 80U Pediatric, Sanofi Pasteur, Lyon, France).

Long-term follow-up of STAT5B deficiency in three argentinian patients: clinical and immunological features.

Unlabelled: The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of proteins regulate gene transcription in response to a variety of cytokines. STAT5B, in particular, plays an important role in T cells, where it is a key mediator of interleukin-2 (IL-2) induced responses. STAT5B deficiency causes a rare autosomal recessive disorder reported in only a handful of individuals.

Cervical and thoracic sagittal misalignment after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a comparative study of all pedicle screws versus hybrid instrumentation.

Study Design: A comparative study of 2 cohort series of surgically treated patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who were retrospectively analyzed, with level III evidence.

Objective: To compare the effect on the cervical sagittal balance of 2 AIS correction constructs, namely, all pedicle screws and hybrid instrumentation using hooks and pedicle screws.

Summary Of Background Data: An inverse relationship between cervical and thoracic kyphosis in AIS has been found in pediatric patients after concave derotation using hybrid constructs with pedicle screws and hooks.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma association is not only restricted to elderly patients.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common group of malignant lymphomas, account for 30% of adult non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) classification included a new entity, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)+ DLBCL of the elderly, affecting patients aged 50 years or older. However, some reports of younger EBV+ DLBCL cases, without evidence of underlying immunosuppression, can be found.

Follicular bronchiolitis as phenotype associated with CD25 deficiency.

Regulatory T cells [Tregs ; CD4(+) CD25(+) forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3(+) )] are subsets of T cells involved in the maintenance of peripheral self-tolerance by actively suppressing the activation and expansion of autoreactive T cells. Signalling through the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) contributes to T cell tolerance by controlling three important aspects of regulatory T cell (Treg ) biology. CD25 is the α-chain of the IL-2R that, in concert with the β-chain and γ-chain, constitutes the complete IL-2R.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) association and latency profile in pediatric Burkitt's lymphoma: experience of a single institution in Argentina.

The aim of this study is to characterize EBV expression and latency pattern in pediatric Burkitt's lymphoma in a single institution in Argentina. EBV-encoded RNA or protein was analyzed in 27 patients. EBERs was expressed in 37% of patients (29% of immunocompetent and 100% of immunosuppressed patients).

Swallowing and respiratory distress in hospitalized patients with bronchiolitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of airway and/or pulmonary food or saliva aspiration in infants with moderate respiratory distress who are hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. This prospective, descriptive study was conducted during two epidemic RSV seasons at the Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Included were otherwise healthy infants in their first wheezing episode with a modified Tal clinical score between 5 and 9.

Global and regional burden of hospital admissions for severe acute lower respiratory infections in young children in 2010: a systematic analysis.

Background: The annual number of hospital admissions and in-hospital deaths due to severe acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in young children worldwide is unknown. We aimed to estimate the incidence of admissions and deaths for such infections in children younger than 5 years in 2010.

Methods: We estimated the incidence of admissions for severe and very severe ALRI in children younger than 5 years, stratified by age and region, with data from a systematic review of studies published between Jan 1, 1990, and March 31, 2012, and from 28 unpublished population-based studies.

Utility of new mature erythrocyte and reticulocyte indices in screening for iron-deficiency anemia in a pediatric population.

Introduction: Iron-deficient erythropoiesis attributable to nutritional deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in early childhood. Beckman Coulter has proposed new parameters: red blood cell size factor (RSf) and low hemoglobin density (LHD%). [Formula: see text] The aims of the present communication were to establish reference ranges (RR) for RSf and LHD% in a healthy pediatric population; to evaluate clinical utility of these parameters in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA); and to compare RSf and LHD% with RET-He.

EBV primary infection in childhood and its relation to B-cell lymphoma development: a mini-review from a developing region.

In most underdeveloped countries, the initial contact with Epstein Barr virus (EBV) usually happens in the first decade of life and results in an asymptomatic infection, whereas in developed areas, primary infection in adolescence or adulthood is accompanied by infectious mononucleosis in 50% cases. Although it is generally a harmless passenger, in some individuals, it is associated with B-cell lymphoma. In Argentina, EBV primary infection shows the classical pattern observed in developing populations, given that nearly 70% of patients are seropositive by the age of 2 years.

Epstein-Barr virus presence in pediatric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma reveals a particular association and latency patterns: analysis of viral role in tumor microenvironment.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma represents 6-10% of pediatric malignancies, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the three major subtypes. The 2008 WHO classification included a new entity, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive DLBCL of the elderly, affecting patients >50 years. It has been demonstrated that EBV may play a role in tumor microenvironment composition, disturbing antitumor immune response and disease progression.

A novel missense mutation in the SH2 domain of the STAT5B gene results in a transcriptionally inactive STAT5b associated with severe IGF-I deficiency, immune dysfunction, and lack of pulmonary disease.

Context: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b) deficiency, first reported in a patient who carried a p.Ala630Pro missense mutation in the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, results in a rare clinical condition of GH insensitivity (GHI), IGF-I deficiency (IGFD), and severe immune dysregulation manifesting as progressive worsening of pulmonary function.

Patient: The new patient presented with severe cutaneous eczema, episodic infections in the first years of life, and autoimmune thyroiditis.

The pharmacoeconomics of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in Latin America.

Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to be the most important causative agent of invasive bacterial infections in children and is the most common cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children less than 5 years of age. Due to some conditions in the Latin America region, economic assessments of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have unique characteristics. First, distribution of S.

Prevention of pneumococcal disease through vaccination.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted by world leaders in the year 2000 with an aim to accomplish them by 2015, provide concrete benchmarks for tackling extreme poverty in its many dimensions. One aim is to reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children <5 years of age. The deaths of nearly 3 million children under 5 each year worldwide can be attributed to diarrhea and pneumonia.

The role of serum biomarkers in predicting fibrosis progression in pediatric and adult hepatitis C virus chronic infection.

Background/aims: Liver biopsy represents the gold standard for damage evaluation, but noninvasive serum markers that mirror liver fibrosis progression are actual goals both in adults and especially in children. The aim was to determine specific serum markers that correlate with liver fibrosis progression during chronic HCV infection.

Methods: Liver biopsies and concomitant serum samples from 22 pediatric and 22 adult HCV patients were analyzed.

Epstein Barr virus in relation to apoptosis markers and patients' outcome in pediatric B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

In this study, we investigated Epstein Barr virus (EBV) presence, associated to proliferation and apoptosis proteins in pediatric B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). EBERs, Ki67, active caspase 3, Bax and Bcl2 were analyzed on B-NHL tissue from 40 patients. Forty percent showed EBV expression, significantly higher among patients ⩽10years (P=0.