Based on in vitro susceptibilities and the concern for emergence of resistance and long-term safety, ampicillin plus gentamicin remains the recommended antibiotic regimen for early onset neonatal sepsis. Our objective was to identify potential limitations of this regimen based on clinical and pathogen characteristics while minimizing risks associated with prolonged antibiotic exposure. We identified 43 gram-negative pathogens in 42 patients. Escherichia coli ( E coli) occurred in 50% and Streptococcus agalactiae in 23.8% of patient. Ampicillin resistance was common, particularly in E coli (85.7%). Mortality was 23.8%, all due to E coli. We found that E coli is the most frequent pathogen and has a high mortality particularly in neonates < 1500 g; mortality is high with the current dosing strategy when E coli is resistant to ampicillin even when sensitive to gentamicin; resistance to gentamicin remains low but seems to be increasing while resistance to third-generation cephalosporins remains very low.

Background: Therapies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its life-threatening respiratory infection coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been evaluated, including COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Multiple large reports of CCP treatment in adults exist. Pediatric data on CCP safety and efficacy are limited. Methods: Single-center prospective, open-label trial looking at safety, antibody kinetics and outcomes of CCP (10 mL/kg, max 1 unit) treatment for COVID-19 in hospitalized pediatric patients with moderate to severe disease or at high-risk for serious illness. Results: Thirteen patients were enrolled. No infusion-related adverse events occurred. No hematologic or metabolic adverse events were noted during hospitalization or at 3-weeks. Ten patients had clinical improvement by day 7 (WHO eight-category ordinal severity scale for COVID-19). Following CCP, anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid IgG increased significantly at 24 hours and high levels were sustained at 7- and 21-days. Transient IgM response was noted. Twelve patients (92.3%) were discharged home, 9 (75%) by day 7 post-CCP. One remained on invasive ventilatory support 42 days after CCP and was eventually discharged to an intermediate care facility. The single patient death was retrospectively confirmed to have had brain death before CCP. Conclusion: CCP was well tolerated in pediatric patients, resulted in rapid antibody increase, and did not appear to interfere with immune responses measured at 21 days. More pediatric data are necessary to establish the efficacy of CCP, but our data suggest benefit in moderate to severe COVID-19 when used early. Other immunologic or antiviral interventions may be added as supported by emerging data.

Background: Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on pneumococcal disease is well described; pneumococcus is infrequently identified by culture in pneumonia. Yield is higher when pleural fluid is cultured. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in pleural fluid samples improves pathogen identification, particularly in the case of S. pneumoniae. Methods: Healthy children with empyema who underwent pleural fluid drainage were eligible. Demographics and PCV immunization status were collected. Blood/pleural fluid cultures were obtained. Pleural fluid samples were sent for PCR for pathogen. Serotyping was done by Neufeld-Quellung reaction on pneumococcus isolates, and PCR in culture negative cases. Results: From December 2018 to September 2023, 74 patients were enrolled. Pathogens were cultured in 22 patients (29.7%), with pneumococcus found in 6 (27.3%). PCR identified additional pathogens in 23 patients (31.1%), including 18 pneumococci (81.8%) and real-time PCR identified 5 more pneumococci, totaling 29 pneumococci, with 23 (79.3%) detected by PCR only. Serotype information was available for 27 (93.1%) pneumococci; 22 (81.5%) were identified as PCV-13 serotypes, with serotype 3 being present in 17 (63%) cases. Among patients with a PCV-13 serotype detected through culture or molecular methods, 15 (68.2%) were fully vaccinated with PCV-13, including 11 of 17 (65%) with serotype 3. Conclusion: S. pneumoniae, particularly serotype 3, is the leading bacterial pathogen in children ≤18 years old. Molecular diagnosis enhances pathogen detection. Ongoing surveillance is crucial to monitor etiology changes as new pneumococcal vaccines are introduced.

No consensus exists on management of children with community-acquired pneumonia complicated by empyema (CAP-Em). We evaluated outpatient oral (O-Abx) compared with parenteral antibiotics (OPAT) in children with CAP-Em. We also evaluated inflammatory markers to guide length of treatment. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients discharged (2006-2016) with CAP-Em. Primary outcome measured was treatment success (no change in antibiotics or readmission to hospital for treatment of CAP-Em). White blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) serial measurements were identified. Success was achieved in 133/144 (92.4%) O-Abx and 7/12 (58%) OPAT patients (P = .0031). WBC and CRP decreased early; and ESR increased initially (admit and switch to O-Abx) and decreased by end of treatment. O-Abx is the modality of choice for treatment of CAP-Em after hospital discharge. WBC and CRP are useful to monitor success of O-Abx switch; and ESR provides guidance for length of treatment.

Background/Objective: Millions of children were infected with SARS-CoV-2, and a small proportion progressed to severe disease, especially those with underlying risk factors. Adult COVID-19 studies showed mortality benefits with Remdesivir. Data on Remdesivir use in pediatrics are limited. We report on the safety and tolerability of Remdesivir in pediatric patients seen at our institution. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients <19 years old with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection who received at least one dose of Remdesivir. Patients followed strict institutional guidelines for safety monitoring including standard clinical and laboratory daily observations. Demographics and underlying conditions were reported as averages; for laboratory values, linear regression was applied within a generalized linear mixed-effects model framework to evaluate the significance of changes in average levels over time. Results: We enrolled 318 patients with acute SARS-CoV2 infection from May 2020 to December 2022. In total, 53% were male, and the age range was distributed broadly. In total, 61% were school-aged children (28% 5–11 and 33% 12–18 years of age). In total, 62% of cases were Hispanic. The most common reasons for Remdesivir treatment included respiratory distress (201; 63%) and having high-risk underlying conditions (109; 34%). Therapy was completed as planned in 91% and discontinued early in 9%. Mean baseline, peak, and end of treatment values for AST were 57 (95% CI 53, 61), 79 (95% CI 73, 84) (p < 0.001), and 55 (51, 59) (p = 0.479); for ALT, they were 42 (38, 47), 59 (95% CI 52, 66) (p < 0.001), and 46 (95% CI 41, 52) (p = 0.054); and for bilirubin, they were 0.56 (95% CI 0.50, 0.62), 0.67 (95% CI 0.61, 0.74) (p < 0.001), and 0.44 (95% CI 0.40, 0.48) (p < 0.001), respectively. During Remdesivir treatment, we did not observe marrow suppression or renal toxicity. Conclusions: No clinically significant hematological or renal toxicity was noted. Mean liver enzymes increased modestly and returned to baseline without interrupting treatment. Remdesivir was well tolerated in patients <19 years old.