STANDARDS OF MEDICAL CARE “INVASIVE CANDIDIASIS IN NEWBORNS”

Candida infection (candidiasis) is an important clinical problem in newborns who need treatment in modern intensive care units. Organ and/or systemic infections caused by these fungi are called invasive candidiasis (IC). Newborns are especially vulnerable to IC, and their incidence is 3-5 times higher than the corresponding rates in children or adults. Invasive fungal infections caused by Candida are the third most common late-onset infection in infants born with a birth weight <1500 g. IC in newborns is associated with approximately 20% mortality, and about half of survivors have serious long- term neurological damage. In recent years, new data have been obtained on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of IC in newborns, which has determined a change in treatment recommendations. Accordingly, the need arose to ensure the compliance of our clinical practice with modern evidence-based approaches. Early diagnosis of candidiasis and prompt treatment with effective antifungal agents such as fluconazole, amphotericin B, and micafungin, when indicated, are critical to improving outcomes.

Shock and dyselectrolytemia in a neonate with late-onset COVID-19 infection

Most reports of COVID-19 in neonates suggest that they are infected postnatally and present with gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms. We describe a neonate who had community-acquired COVID-19, and presented with late-onset sepsis and developed dyselectrolytemia. The 26-day-old male baby had fever, feed refusal and shock. Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal swab was positive and levels of circulating inflammatory markers were high. The baby was supported with antibiotics, and inotropic and vasopressor drugs. He had seizures and bradycardia due to dyselectrolytemia on day 2 of admission. On day 3, he had respiratory distress, with non-specific chest radiographic findings, and was managed with non-invasive support for 24 hours. The baby was discharged after 8 days. On serial follow-up, he was breastfeeding well and gaining weight appropriately with no morbidity. Our report highlights a unique presentation of COVID-19, with late-onset infection and shock-like features along with dyselectrolytemia and seizures.

Late onset infection of covered and bare metal arterial stents

Objective The objective was to present the case of a late covered iliac stent late infection and report a comprehensive literature review on diagnosis and outcomes in this setting. Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was performed through MedLine by two independent reviewers from 1990 to 2020 on reported cases of arterial stent late onset infection over arterial stents. The data about on the risk factors, clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes were collected. Results Twenty-two studies were selected as pertinent for the analysis, totalling 24 patients including the indexed case. Infection occurred at a median of 22 months postoperatively (range 2–120 months) over a bare metal stent in 66.7% ( n 16) of cases versus 33.3% ( n 8) over a covered stent. Clinical presentation included local symptoms (local pain, oedema, petechiae or skin rash) in 21 (87.5%) cases and non-specific systemic symptoms (fever, sepsis, chills and leucocytosis) in 8 cases (33.3%). In 4 cases (16.7%), patients presented with haemorrhagic shock upon arterial rupture. The bacteria most frequently encountered were S. aureus (54.2% of cases). Several factors were supposed to be responsible for the infection including among which procedure-related (non-aseptic technique, lack of prophylactic antibiotics and repetitive punctures at the access site) or related to pre-existing patient’s clinical conditions (immunosuppression, diabetes and concurrent infection) have been considered responsible for the infection. Treatment consisted in antibiotics alone (2 patients, 8.3%) or in association with surgical explant, both with or and without revascularization ( n 21, 87.5%). In one case, an endovascular coiling was performed. Complications occurred in 29.2% ( n 7) of cases and included the need for amputation, bowel resection, endocarditis, pulmonary failure or pneumonia. Overall, three patients (12.5%) died from a septic shock or multi-organ failure. Conclusions Intravascular stent infection is a rare but fearsome condition associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Group B streptococcal transmission rates as determined by PCR

BackgroundGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of neonatal sepsis. GBS colonization of the newborn gastrointestinal tract (GIT) may be a critical precursor for late-onset infection. Assessment of the rate of neonatal GBS intestinal colonization has generally relied upon culture-based methods. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture to determine the rate of GBS transmission to neonates. We hypothesized that PCR may enhance the detection of neonatal GBS colonization of the GIT, and that the rate will be higher when evaluated with PCR as compared to culture.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study, in which mothers who were positive for GBS on routine screening and their healthy infants were eligible for recruitment. Newborn stool was collected after 24 h of life and before hospital discharge, and stored at −80°C for culture and PCR targeting the GBS-specific surface immunogenic protein (sip) gene.ResultsA total of 94 mother-infant pairs were enrolled; of these pairs, stool was collected from 83 infants. Based on PCR, the overall GBS transmission rate was 3.6% (3/83). The transmission rate was 2.4% (1/41) among vaginal deliveries and 4.8% (2/42) among cesarean deliveries. The results of culture-based transmission detection were identical.ConclusionThese results indicate that the rate of GBS transmission is low and that detection may not be enhanced by PCR methods.

Neonatal Late Onset Infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

Objective To date, no information on late-onset infection in newborns to mother with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contracted in pregnancy are available. This study aimed to evaluate postdischarge SARS-CoV-2 status of newborns to mothers with COVID-19 in pregnancy that, at birth, were negative to SARS-CoV-2. Study Design This is an observational study of neonates born to mothers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Results Seven pregnant women with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection have been evaluated in our institution. One woman had a spontaneous abortion at 8 weeks of gestational age, four women recovered and are still in follow-up, and two women delivered. Two newborns were enrolled in the study. At birth and 3 days of life, newborns were negative to SARS-CoV-2. At 2-week follow-up, one newborn tested positive although asymptomatic. Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of follow-up of newborns to mothers with COVID-19 in pregnancy, since they remain at risk of contracting the infection in the early period of life and long-term consequences are still unknown. Key Points