scholarly journals The impact of cerebrospinal fluid viral analysis on empiric antibiotic use in children admitted to Tygerberg Children’s hospital with suspected meningitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Irma Kruger ◽  
Jean Maritz ◽  
Heather Finlayson
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Viral Meningitis ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Empiric Antibiotic ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
The Impact

Background: Viral meningitis is the most common form of aseptic meningitis and requires minimal investigation and treatment. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become the ‘gold standard’ for identifying viruses in cerebrospinal fluid and can provide rapid results. The objective of the study was to describe the aetiology and epidemiology of viral meningitis at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital, as well as the impact of a positive cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) viral panel on the duration of empiric antibiotic treatment.Methods: This was a retrospective folder review of all children aged between 29 days and 13 years who had a CSF specimen on which a viral analysis was performed from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.Results: A total of 288 specimens were identified from the laboratory database. Seventy-nine specimens were presented for data analysis. Thirty-seven specimens had a positive viral analysis. The median age was 11.3 months (IQR 3.7–49.16 months). The microscopy and chemistry results were similar for the two groups except for the CSF lymphocyte count, which was significantly higher in the group with a positive CSF viral analysis compared to those with a negative CSF viral analysis (median 52 vs. 12 × 106/l, p = 0.005). The most common identified virus was Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) (23%), followed by enterovirus (17%). Children with a positive viral analysis tended to receive antibiotics for longer than those who had negative results (p = 0.223).Conclusion: The addition of CSF viral analysis could be helpful in the management of children with meningitis, but at present appears to have little impact on the length of antibiotic use.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Diagnostic Approaches for Epstein–Barr Virus

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Abdel Haleem Abusalah ◽  
Siew Hua Gan ◽  
Mohammad A. I. Al-Hatamleh ◽  
Ahmad Adebayo Irekeola ◽  
Rafidah Hanim Shueb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
The Impact

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent of many diseases including infectious mononucleosis (IM), and it is associated with different subtypes of lymphoma, sarcoma and carcinoma such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and gastric carcinoma. With the advent of improved laboratory tests for EBV, a timelier and accurate diagnosis could be made to aid better prognosis and effective treatment. For histopathological lesions, the in situ hybridization (ISH) of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in biopsy tissues remains the gold standard for detecting EBV. Methods such as the heterophile antibody test, immunofluorescence assays, enzyme immunoassays, Western blot, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are also employed in the detection of EBV in different types of samples. The determination of EBV viral load using PCR, however, is gaining more prominence in the diagnosis of EBV-associated diseases. Given the challenge of false positive/negative results that are sometimes experienced during the detection of EBV, variability in results from different laboratories, and the impact of factors such as sample type and the immunological status of patients from whom samples are collected, the need to critically examine these present methods is invaluable. This review thus presents current advances in the detection of EBV, detailing the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques. In addition, fundamental virological concepts are highlighted to enhance the greater understanding, the proper application, and the interpretation of EBV tests.

scholarly journals Pediatric Surgical Reentry Strategy Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Tiered and Balanced Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110111
Author(s):  
Ryan C. Pickens ◽  
Angela M. Kao ◽  
Mark A. Williams ◽  
Andrew C. Herman ◽  
Jeffrey S. Kneisl
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Surgery ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Protocol Development ◽  
Balanced Approach ◽  
Projective Curves ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Emergent Surgery

Background In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s hospitals across the country postponed elective surgery beginning in March 2020. As projective curves flattened, administrators and surgeons sought to develop strategies to safely resume non-emergent surgery. This article reviews challenges and solutions specific to a children’s hospital related to the resumption of elective pediatric surgeries. We present our tiered reentry approach for pediatric surgery as well as report early data for surgical volume and tracking COVID-19 cases during reentry. Methods The experience of shutdown, protocol development, and early reentry of elective pediatric surgery are reported from Levine’s Children’s Hospital (LCH), a free-leaning children’s hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. Data reported were obtained from de-identified hospital databases. Results Pediatric surgery experienced a dramatic decrease in case volumes at LCH during the shutdown, variable by specialty. A tiered and balanced reentry strategy was implemented with steady resumption of elective surgery following strict pre-procedural screening and testing. Early outcomes showed a steady thorough fluctuating increase in elective case volumes without evidence of a surgery-associated positive spread through periprocedural tracking. Conclusion Reentry of non-emergent pediatric surgical care requires unique considerations including the impact of COVID-19 on children, each children hospital structure and resources, and preventing undue delay in intervention for age- and disease-specific pediatric conditions. A carefully balanced strategy has been critical for safe reentry following the anticipated surge. Ongoing tracking of resource utilization, operative volumes, and testing results will remain vital as community spread continues to fluctuate across the country.

Handshake antimicrobial stewardship as a model to recognize and prevent diagnostic errors

Diagnosis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin B. Searns ◽  
Manon C. Williams ◽  
Christine E. MacBrayne ◽  
Ann L. Wirtz ◽  
Jan E. Leonard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Treatment Team ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In

AbstractObjectivesFew studies describe the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) on recognizing and preventing diagnostic errors. Handshake stewardship (HS-ASP) is a novel ASP model that prospectively reviews hospital-wide antimicrobial usage with recommendations made in person to treatment teams. The purpose of this study was to determine if HS-ASP could identify and intervene on potential diagnostic errors for children hospitalized at a quaternary care children’s hospital.MethodsPreviously self-identified “Great Catch” (GC) interventions by the Children’s Hospital Colorado HS-ASP team from 10/2014 through 5/2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Each GC was categorized based on the types of recommendations from HS-ASP, including if any diagnostic recommendations were made to the treatment team. Each GC was independently scored using the “Safer Dx Instrument” to determine presence of diagnostic error based on a previously determined cut-off score of ≤1.50. Interrater reliability for the instrument was measured using a randomized subset of one third of GCs.ResultsDuring the study period, there were 162 GC interventions. Of these, 65 (40%) included diagnostic recommendations by HS-ASP and 19 (12%) had a Safer Dx Score of ≤1.50, (Κ=0.44; moderate agreement). Of those GCs associated with diagnostic errors, the HS-ASP team made a diagnostic recommendation to the primary treatment team 95% of the time.ConclusionsHandshake stewardship has the potential to identify and intervene on diagnostic errors for hospitalized children.

The impact of a complex care clinic in a children's hospital

2010 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 574-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Cohen ◽  
J. N. Friedman ◽  
S. Mahant ◽  
S. Adams ◽  
V. Jovcevska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Care ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
The Impact

EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS LOAD IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ACTIVE EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS INFECTION

2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1027-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouichi Ohga ◽  
Masafumi Sanefuji ◽  
Masataka Ishimura ◽  
Akihiko Nomura ◽  
Hiroyuki Torisu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus Infection ◽  
Virus Load ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Barr Virus Infection

scholarly journals Impact of tumor Epstein-Barr virus status on presenting features and outcome in age-defined subgroups of patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma: a population-based study

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (7) ◽  
pp. 2444-2451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth F. Jarrett ◽  
Gail L. Stark ◽  
Jo White ◽  
Brian Angus ◽  
Freda E. Alexander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe association between tumor Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status and clinical outcome in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is controversial. This population-based study assessed the impact of EBV status on survival in age-stratified cohorts of adults with classic HL (cHL). Data from 437 cases were analyzed with a median follow-up of 93 months. Overall survival (OS) was significantly better for EBV-negative compared with EBV-positive patients (P < .001), with 5-year survival rates of 81% and 66%, respectively; disease-specific survival (DSS) was also greater for EBV-negative patients (P = .03). The impact of EBV status varied with age at diagnosis. In patients aged 16 to 34 years, EBV-associated cases had a survival advantage compared with EBV-negative cases, but differences were not statistically significant (P = .21). Among patients 50 years or older, EBV positivity was associated with a significantly poorer outcome (P = .003). Excess deaths occurred in EBV-positive patients with both early- and advanced-stage disease. In multivariate analysis of OS in the older patients, EBV status retained statistical significance after adjusting for the effects of sex, stage, and B symptoms (P = .01). Impaired immune status may contribute to the development of EBV-positive cHL in older patients, and strategies aimed at boosting the immune response should be investigated in the treatment of these patients. (Blood. 2005;106:2444-2451)

Oligoclonal IgGs against DNA, Histones, and Myelin Basic Protein in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostrikina IA ◽  
◽  
Granieri E ◽  
Nevinsky GA ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Myelin Basic Protein ◽  
Basic Protein ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Ms Pathogenesis ◽  
Myelin Proteolipid

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is known as a chronic demyelinating pathology of the central nervous system. The most accepted MS pathogenesis theory assigns the main role to demyelination of myelin-proteolipid shells due to inflammationrelated with autoimmune reactions. One of the features of MS patients is the enhanced synthesis of oligoclonal IgGs in the bone marrow Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). By antigen-specific immunoblotting after isoelectrofocusing of IgGs, oligoclonal IgGs in CSF of MS patients were revealed only against the components of Epstein-Barr virus and Chlamydia. However, there was still unknown to which human auto-antigens in MS patients oligoclonal IgGs may be produced. Here it was first shown that in the CSF of a narrow percentage of MS patients, oligoclonal IgGs are produced against their own antigens: DNA (24% patients), histones (20%), and myelin basic protein (12%). At the same time, the CSF of MS patients contains a very large amount of auto-IgGs-abzymes that hydrolyze DNA, histones, and myelin basic protein, which during isofocusing, are distributed throughout the gel from pH 3 to 10. It is concluded that these multiple IgGs-abzymes, which are dangerous to humans since stimulate development of MS, in the main are non-oligoclonal antibodies.

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